The future of green fuels: new technologies and increasing demand

Green fuels are derived from renewable energy sources such as hydro power, solar energy, and wind power. These power sources are used to supply electricity for water electrolysis to produce green hydrogen. In addition, combining green hydrogen with biogenic captured carbon dioxide enables green fuels like e-methane and e-kerosene that can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels. 

Wind power and Power-to-X are some of the most commonly used technologies producing green fuels. Surplus energy production from onshore and offshore wind farms is used to create green fuels which can then be stored for later use in the transportation sector or in other industries. 

Meanwhile, waste, or surplus heat from green fuels production, is utilized in district heating to heat homes and offices in Denmark.  

Green hydrogen solves intermittency problem of wind power

Green hydrogen helps solve the intermittency problem of wind power, which allows industrial companies to reach their decarbonisation goals. Particularly refineries, steel plants, ammonia production, cement manufacturing, and other energy-intensive industries could benefit from this.  

Some providers also work with blue hydrogen, which is hydrogen made from fossil sources and combined with carbon capture, but COWI does not.

“Here at COWI, we do only green hydrogen based on electrolysis,” says Michael Dennis Knudsen, Business Development Director within green fuels at COWI. “We want to have a profile as completely green. This was an important strategic decision we made a few years ago.” 

Green fuels in shipping and aviation 

Heavy transportation, in particular shipping and aviation, are unlikely to use batteries in the foreseeable future due to limitations on battery capacity and recharging options, so it is crucial to develop environmentally friendly low emission fuels. 

Danish shipping giant Maersk has worked with COWI to fuel its container ships with methanol.  

Likewise, COWI has also worked as knowledge partner for Green Fuels for Denmark, which is a unique partnership formed between Ørsted as project developer, Copenhagen Airports, A.P. Moller-Mærsk, DSV, DFDS, and SAS. The aim is to first produce e-methanol and later e-kerosene on a large scale. 

Getting the most out of the energy value chain

Getting the most out of the energy value chain is key to sustainability, particularly if the aim is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But it is no easy task to establish a complete value chain of such scale in a brand-new field of engineering, and it requires an unprecedented level of collaboration across more than twenty disciplines. 

COWI has been contracted to perform the pre-feasibility studies for two large e-methanol facilities and their associated value chains for C2X, which is majority owned by A.P. Møller Holding and is Mærsk’s parent company. 
 
According to studies, the hydrogen market could increase by more than six-fold between 2022 and 2050, where green hydrogen is expected to take up some 65 per cent of the overall hydrogen market. 

Finding the ideal locations for green hydrogen and Power-to-X plants  

When establishing Power-to-X and green fuels plants, there are many complex factors that need to be taken into consideration which require expert assistance.  
 
Initially, it is necessary to define the structural scope, land requirements and production capacity of the project. Then the application and juridical process follows, which includes permits and approvals from relevant authorities. Depending on the characteristics of the project, this process can include varying degrees of complexity. 
 
It is also necessary to clarify if the necessary infrastructure – such as electricity, water supply and wastewater management - is already in place, or if it is necessary to establish these facilities. Studies of soil and groundwater conditions will most likely also be required.