Renewable Fuels for Cross Border Transportation

Abstract

The use of renewable energy has increased slowly in most sectors and the transport sector is predominantly depending on traditional fossil fuels notably petrol and diesel. This has created a difficult situation concerning the fuel supply and fuel prices as well as an increase of emissions of climate gasses. A number of local and regional projects have been carried out and are still ongoing regarding the use of renewable fuels in the transport sector. Most of those covers captive fleets of busses and lorries but also taxis and other passenger cars are participating. Common for this type of projects are that the fuel distribution system and the supply of fuel normally can be handled within reasonable resources since no extensive distribution system has to be built up. This also means that the experiences from those projects are difficult to apply on a European wide scale. The study "Renewable fuels for cross border transportation" is concentrating on cross border transport and basically leaving small captive fleets outside. It includes all modes of transport. The basis for the study are a) that the long term solutions should be based on the use of renewable energy for the fuels, b) the fuel distribution issue is the critical part of the development and therefore c) investments in intermediate solutions should fit into a long term concept. The study contains: A survey of promising technical concepts for vehicles, aeroplanes, ships and railroad locomotives intended for the use of non fossil fuels. A survey of energy resources to supply the cross border traffic with fuel for the different technical concepts studied. A description of the environmental consequences for different concepts of vehicle/crafts and fuels. A description of industrial concerns and other consequences for EU and the different Member States for different concepts. A proposal for a limited number concepts including implementation strategy in a long term (25-30 years) and in an intermediate (5-10 years) perspective.