Page 49 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2019 publication
P. 49
Winter 2019 European Energy Innovation 49
AVIATION DECARBONISATION
means of renewable electricity – aviation almost entirely. If e-fuels To decarbonise the aviation sector,
mostly wind power and photovoltaic, production plants caused additional a combination of measures will be
but also geothermal and hydro – fossil electricity generation, global required. Firstly, the current subsidies
are attracting increased attention. CO2 emissions could even increase. for international aviation such as the
Renewable electricity can – exemption from VAT and fuel taxes
along with non-fossil CO2 – be However, e-fuels are not a silver need to be phased out. Secondly,
converted into liquid fuels using bullet. If the current global kerosene a meaningful carbon price needs
various synthesis methods. These consumption were to be generated to be established and continuously
substitution strategies are referred to from renewable electricity, the increased. Thirdly, we need to ensure
as power-to-liquid or e-fuels. current global renewable electricity that alternative fuels are produced
generation capacity would not be in a truly sustainable manner and
Generating e-fuels through the sufficient to produce sufficient e that they significantly contribute to
Fischer-Tropsch or methanol kerosene. This takes neither the reducing GHG emissions. And lastly,
synthesis has been demonstrated demand growth of aviation nor alternatives to flying and long-
in pilot installations but their the demand of other sectors for distance travelling – e.g. replacing
generation costs are still by factor renewable electricity into account. business meetings and conferences
three to four higher than fossil We therefore need to make sure by telephone or video sessions –
kerosene. To bring e-fuels to the that e-fuels are used only in sectors should be encouraged, and less
markets and make them competitive where alternatives such as the direct frequent flying as well as different
with fossil kerosene, their further use of electricity are not available holiday destinations should be
development and deployment (aviation, shipping, steal, cements and promoted. To misquote R.E.M.'s 1987
should be promoted and initially, selected chemical products), at least song, we could then conclude: This is
as with renewable energies about not in the time which remains for full the end of flying as we know it - but
30 years ago, subsidised. This could decarbonisation. we feel fine. l
be achieved through a policy mix
including gradually increasing fuel About the author
quotas, investment and/or production
subsidies for e-fuel generation Dr Martin Cames joined Öko-Institut’s Energy and Climate Protection
and carbon pricing for raising the division in 1994 as Research Fellow and heads the Berlin branch of
revenues required for those subsidies. the division since 2008. In 2006, he was visiting researcher at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (USA). In
To ensure that e-fuels contribute 2009, he finished his PhD on Emissions Trading and Innovation. Since
to global GHG reduction and do many years he is working on national and international climate policies
not harm sustainable development, with specific focus on new market-based mechanisms as well as on
three main criteria must be fulfilled: instruments to address greenhouse gas emissions of international
1) e-fuels must be produced from maritime transport and aviation.
additional renewable energy, 2) the
CO2 required must be from non- Since 2008, he is member of the German delegation for the climate
fossil sources and 3) their production change talks under the United Nation’s Framework Convention on
must avoid or appropriately address Climate Change (UNFCCC) focussing on offset mechanisms (CDM, JI)
possible competing needs for land and international aviation and maritime transport (bunker fuels). From
and fresh water. Only if e-fuels are 2012 to 2014 he was a member of the Executive Board of the Clean
derived from additional renewable Development Mechanism under the UNFCCC.
electricity and non-fossil CO2 could
they reduce the CO2 emissions of
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