Biofuels and alternative fuels in Europe: Status, Challenges and Technology-Trends

Abstract

From a historical point of view, using agricultural products for fueling of transport is a well-known objective among automobile engineers, but never became accepted in Europe. But as the motivations of political and economic actors for searching alternatives to fossil fuels have changed, the idea of using renewable energies for transport systems is more popular than ever and the use of such fuels is widely supported. Biofuels and alternative fuels provide a way to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependencies on fossil fuel resources. However, biomass resources in Europe as well as reductions of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels are limited. Four factors are important: crop characteristics, climate conditions (geography), conversion and powertrain technologies. This paper gives an overview of different types of alternative fuels relevant in Europe and the status of production and demand for biofuels in the transport sector in Europe. We aim to explain how the developments in this sector correspond with the political targets of the European Union and which measures are taken. In order to reach these targets, the member states have implemented different support systems. Yet it seems to be unlikely that the goals given by EU policy can be reached without further technological developments. Regarding these difficulties in establishing a European biofuel trade system, we analyse the research efforts supported by the EU. Such programs mainly consider resources, production and performance of alternative fuels as well as their adaptation to vehicles. Drawing present and prospective powertrain technologies into account, we compare different alternative fuel chains and present scenarios for future fuels and emissions.