Hydrogen & eFuels – Dream or Reality?

Authors

Jürgen RECHBERGER
AVL List GmbH, Graz

Summary

The world has widely understood that hydrogen has to play an important role in the decarbonization of the energy supply. Hydrogen has its role in particular in the industry and energy sectors. In these sectors hydrogen has the potential to largely substitute Natural Gas in industrial processes and to close the gap of renewables in the energy system. eFuels on the other hand are discussed much more controversial. One reason for that is already in the definition of eFuels. In the public understanding, eFuels are mainly considered as replacements of established conventional fuels like eGasoline, eDiesel and eKerosene. The scientific definition of eFuels (Electro Fuels) is much broader and includes hydrogen itself and all its derivates like ammonia and methanol. Considering the broader definition of eFuels, it’s therefore without question, that these renewable energy carriers will be needed and incorporated in the future CO2 neutral energy-, industry- and mobility system, to achieve CO2 neutrality through all these sectors.