Bio FT-diesel in the European maritime sector: a technical economic valuation of straw crops potential

Abstract

The present study has as an objective on exploring the lignocellulosic residues from European agriculture as an energy source for the production of bio Fischer-Tropsch diesel (bio FT-diesel) as a low carbon alternative to be used in the European maritime sector, based on a techno-economic methodology of residue collection combined with the production yield of FT-Diesel available on literature. It permitted us to find a potential production of 8.5 million tons (Mton) of biofuel across 11 countries, and the reduction of 26 Mton of CO2 annually. The study contributes to the understanding that the fuel could be only cost-competitive if the crude oil reaches values between 10.45–16.91 €/GJ. In addition, the low technology status of bio FT-diesel production and the lack of biofuel standards to the maritime sector are limitations that can only be addressed with effective regulations added to research and development from collection to production and consumption.