An Aston University energy expert has advised the UK Government to invest in low carbon fuels alongside electrification if it wants to reach its net zero goals.
Professor Patricia Thornley, energy expert at Aston University, has led a Department for Transport advisory paper on low carbon transport fuels.
The report, ‘Low carbon transport fuels: DfT Science Advisory Council position paper,’ advises that the government will need to support the use of green fuels to decarbonise the UK’s transport systems. Widespread battery electrification will also need to be implemented where possible.
The opportunities and challenges of using alternative fuels
In March 2022, the Scientific Advisory Council was asked to provide guidance to the Department for Transport which is currently developing a low carbon fuels strategy.
In the paper, Professor Thornley and other members of the Scientific Advisory Council examined the challenges and opportunities of developing and using different fuels.
They also looked at how different fuels would impact the wider energy system.
The report provides independent advice on the role of clean fuel in reducing transport systems’ greenhouse gas emissions.
Clean fuels and their ability to reduce carbon emissions
The authors examined how clean fuels, such as those made from agricultural waste, can deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This will help meet the government’s 2050 net zero ambition.
As a result, they believe that continued investment in biofuel is vital.
The paper also states that, at this point, it is not clear if low carbon fuels will support the transition to full electrification of the UK’s transport systems. Instead, they might be used as a long-term solution.
Statement from Professor Thornley
Professor Thornley, who is director of Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, said: “Successful decarbonisation of transport systems in the UK will require flexible and adaptive government strategies that support the use of low carbon fuels alongside widespread battery electrification, where that is possible.
“The optimal mix of low carbon fuels vs battery electrification in transport will depend on many different factors, some technological, some supply related, and others linked to the capacity of the UK to generate low carbon electricity.
“We urgently need to better understand and manage the airborne emissions that can still be present with low carbon fuels (including hydrogen). That might result in us prioritising different fuels or propulsion systems in different applications or even different parts of the UK.
“Agreeing that prioritisation would allow us to prioritise appropriate next generation of infrastructure to support the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
