Electrofuels

This article explains the need for producing synthetic fuels in support of making a clean and reliable energy system. This production process is expected to solve several problems at once: stabilizing intermittent electricity supply while creating renewable fuels for use in power generation, transportation, and industry. The large-scale introduction of wind and solar power now makes the production of renewable fuels at least technically feasible. Policymakers should start to give electrofuels the attention they deserve. There are many tax credits or subsidies for renewable or low-carbon sources of electricity such as wind, solar, geothermal, and nuclear, but electrofuels are not yet prominent in the discussion. In addition, while states like California have mandates for energy storage, stakeholders often ignore the option of electrofuels despite the potential for them to be a more useful and affordable competitor to batteries. The article concludes that electrofuels may provide a unique solution to a number of challenges, and it is time our markets and policies recognize that possibility.