Exploring potential E-fuel production pathways for maritime and aviation sectors in France : a techno-economic and environmental assessment

Sammanfattning: The aviation and maritime industries pose significant challenges for decarbonization, having increased activity in the past decade. One promising solution to limit emissions in these sectors is Electrofuels (E-fuel), derived from water electrolysis hydrogen and captured CO2 or nitrogen. This thesis explores specific E-fuel production pathways for maritime (E-methanol) and aviation (Ekerosene) sectors. The thesis provides insights into the production processes of E-fuels, from CO2 capture to synthesis, focusing on feasibility within the French context. It examines resources availability in France for E-fuel production, including low-carbon electricity, CO2, and water availability. A techno-economic and environmental analysis follows, using Aspen Plus for methanol synthesis modeling and literature data for assessment. Comparisons are made among three electricity sources (nuclear, solar, wind) and two carbon capture technologies (point source, direct air capture). Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were calculated for 1MJ of E-fuel produced and for both pathways: E-methanol's energetic KPI ranges from 0.699 to 0.838 KWh/MJ, while E-kerosene's ranges from 1.179 to 1.358 KWh/MJ. The economic analysis reveals levelized costs of E-methanol between 0.0655 and 0.1411 €/MJ and E-kerosene between 0.1051 and 0.1543 €/MJ. An environmental assessment considers energy and transport emissions for CO2 supply, indicating that both E-methanol and E-kerosene can achieve emissions reductions compared to fossil-based methanol. E-methanol's emission intensity ranges from 14.63 to 57.69 gCO2eq/MJ, depending on electricity source and carbon capture technology, while E-kerosene's emission factor falls between 17.66 and 83.27 gCO2eq/MJ. The results indicate that E-methanol and E-kerosene are promising solutions to reduce the emission of the shipping sector. The energy source and carbon capture technology used in the these pathways will be very important to ensure low carbon fuel alternative to the aviation sector and maritime sector, as well as the valorization of the co-products for the E-kerosene pathway. From an economic perspective, the pathways are not economically competitive with conventional fossil methanol or kerosene. Highlighting the importance to implement adapted policies to facilitate the development of those production pathways.