Climate Impact and Economic Feasibility of Solar Thermochemical Jet Fuel Production

摘要

Solar thermochemistry presents a promising option for the efficient conversion of H_2O and CO_2 into liquid hydrocarbon fuels using concentrated solar energy. To explore the potential of this fuel production pathway, the climate impact and economic performance are analyzed. Key drivers for the economic and ecological performance are thermo- chemical energy conversion efficiency, the level of solar irradiation, operation and maintenance, and the initial investment in the fuel production plant For the baseline case of a solar tower concentrator with CO_2 capture from air, jet fuel production costs of 2.23 €/L and life cycle greenhouse gas (LC GHG) emissions of 0.49 (kg_co_2-equiv)/L are estimated. Capturing CO_2 from a natural gas combined cycle power plant instead of the air reduces the production costs by 15% but leads to LC GHG emissions higher than that of conventional jet fuel. Favorable assumptions for all involved process steps (30% thermochemical energy conversion efficiency, 3000 kWh/(m~2 a) solar irradiation, low CO_2 and heliostat costs) result in jet fuel production costs of 1.28 €/L at LC GHG emissions dose to zero. Even lower production costs may be achieved if the commercial value of oxygen as a byproduct is considered.