e-Fuels, or electricity-based fuels, are lower-carbon fuels created from renewable energy sources. They are “drop-in fuels,” meaning they can be used in today’s existing engines and infrastructure without the need for modifications.
e-Fuels are produced using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower to convert air and water into fuel. First, electricity from renewable energy is used to split the molecule of water into oxygen and hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. Then, the hydrogen is combined with captured carbon dioxide in a process of synthesis. This creates e-Methanol, a type of e-Fuel that can be used in methanol engines in ships or be converted into e-Gasoline for cars or e-SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) for airplanes.
Los e-Fuels son químicamente equivalentes a los combustibles convencionales que utilizamos hoy en día. Esto significa que son totalmente compatibles con los motores y las infraestructuras existentes, incluidos los oleoductos que se utilizan para transportar combustibles líquidos.
HIF Global is already producing e-Fuels at its facility HIF Haru Oni, in Chile. The timeline for mass production depends on scaling up infrastructure, securing investments, and ensuring access to abundant renewable energy sources. Current projections estimate that mass production of e-Fuels will begin by 2030. As production ramps up, costs are expected to decrease, making e-Fuels a more accessible and widespread solution for decarbonizing transportation and industries worldwide.
e-Fuels are competitive with traditional fuels in markets that have carbon pricing structures. Large-scale e-Fuel production facilities – located in areas with the world’s best renewable energy resources – can produce e-Fuels at competitive prices. Increased production capacity and increased equipment efficiency as e-Fuels are produced at scale are expected to reduce costs even further.
Los e-Fuels son químicamente equivalentes a la gasolina, el metanol o el combustible de aviación tradicionales, lo que significa que ofrecen la misma producción energética que las fuentes de combustible convencionales.
e-Fuels are created from air and water and do not contain impurities, such as sulfur and other polluting particulates. Unlike fossil fuels, the energy-creating carbon in e-Fuels comes from captured carbon dioxide that is already in our atmosphere, so the carbon intensity of e-Fuels is very low.
As with conventional fuels, e-Fuels are toxic substances that can cause health problems through inhalation or physical contact. We recommend following customary protocols when handling e-Fuels
Los e-Fuels, los biocombustibles y los vehículos eléctricos son soluciones complementarias que trabajan juntas para minimizar los efectos del cambio climático y acelerar la transición hacia una economía descarbonizada. Todas estas alternativas desempeñarán un papel importante en la consecución de una movilidad sostenible y en la reducción de nuestras emisiones globales.
Los autos, aviones, camiones, oleoductos y estaciones de servicio actuales pueden utilizar e-Fuels sin ninguna modificación. Los buques deben estar equipados con motores de metanol para utilizar e-Fuels de forma eficaz.
El principal subproducto de la producción de e-Fuels es el oxígeno puro, que puede liberarse a la atmósfera. Puede haber pequeñas cantidades de residuos y contaminantes eliminados del tratamiento del agua, que se permitirán y eliminarán adecuadamente.
Los e-combustibles son químicamente equivalentes a los combustibles líquidos existentes, por lo que pueden transportarse por los métodos actuales (oleoductos, barcos o camiones) sin necesidad de modificaciones de ningún tipo.
Sí, la producción de e-Fuels está influida por la disponibilidad de fuentes de energía renovables como el viento y la luz solar, ya que se utilizan para alimentar el proceso de electrólisis que convierte el agua en hidrógeno, un componente clave de los e-Fuels. Sin embargo, como los e-Fuels son líquidos y estables, ofrecen una solución a los retos que plantea la naturaleza intermitente y geográficamente variable de las energías renovables. La energía generada a partir de la energía eólica o solar puede almacenarse como e-Fuels líquidos, lo que facilita su transporte a largas distancias hasta las zonas donde existe demanda, utilizando las infraestructuras existentes. Además, en regiones con acceso a una red eléctrica bien conectada, las fluctuaciones en la producción de energías renovables pueden equilibrarse mediante la integración en la red, lo que puede aumentar la eficiencia y competitividad de la producción de e-Fuels.
There are more than 1.5 billion vehicles in use today that require gasoline – or a gasoline substitute like e-Gasoline. In addition, shipping and aviation are very hard to electrify sectors in the short and medium term, so they will still require fuel sources like e-Methanol or e-SAF.
e-SAF (electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a type of synthetic aviation fuel that offers significant potential to lower the emissions of the aviation industry. e-SAF is produced through the combination of green hydrogen and captured CO2. These components are combined to create synthetic gasoline, which is then converted into liquid fuel, which can be used in existing aircraft engines without modifications. It has the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel. The aviation industry sees e-SAF as a promising pathway for achieving its decarbonization goals, particularly for long-haul flights where alternative propulsion systems face significant technical challenges.
e-Fuels are considered low-carbon because they are made from renewable energy and captured carbon dioxide (CO2). However, there may be some emissions resulting from raw materials supplies and product shipments that need to be included when considering the carbon footprint of e-Fuels' lifecycle. Our products and processes are reviewed by specialist life cycle assessment (LCA) consultants to determine their carbon intensity (CI). Independent certification against recognized standards, such as ISCC EU RFNBO, provides additional verification of sustainability, emissions and traceability requirements. HIF Haru Oni is ISCC EU RFNBO certified.
e-Fuels, particularly e-SAF, can play an important role in aviation’s transition to lower-carbon fuels. They can significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional jet fuel and can be used in existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure, enabling decarbonization without requiring major fleet changes. e-SAF also supports the growing global requirements and targets for sustainable aviation fuels, including those established by the EU and ICAO.
El e-diésel y el e-GNL son totalmente compatibles con los motores y la infraestructura de los buques existentes, lo que permite su uso inmediato sin modificaciones. El e-metanol puede reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero durante su ciclo de vida en aproximadamente un 20% en comparación con los combustibles derivados del petróleo cuando se produce con hidrógeno y energía 100% renovable. Los e-combustibles no sólo reducen las emisiones deCO₂, sino que también ayudan a reducir otros contaminantes.