The Potential of Biomethane in Replacing Fossil Fuels in Heavy Transport—A Case Study on Finland

Abstract

Electrification is a frequently discussed solution for reducing transport related carbon dioxide emissions. However, transport sectors such as aviation and heavy-duty vehicles remain dependent on on-board fuels. Here, biomethane is still a little exploited solution, and the case of heavy-duty vehicles is particularly underappreciated despite the recent technical advances and potentially notable emission reductions. This paper discusses the potential of biomethane in heavy-duty road transport in the case of Finland, where the utilization rate is low compared to the technical potential. To this end, the potential of biomethane production through both anaerobic digestion and gasification was calculated in three scenarios for the heavy-duty transport fleet, based on the literature values of biomethane potential and truck class fuel consumption. The authors find that approximately half of the heavy-duty transport in Finland could be biomethane fueled by 2030. The estimated production costs for biomethane (81-190 €/MWh) would be competitive with the current consumer diesel price (152 €/MWh). Utilizing the total biomethane potential in heavy-duty transport would furthermore decrease the respective carbon dioxide emissions by 50%. To accelerate the transition in the heavy-duty transport sector, a more comprehensive political framework is needed, taking into account both production and consumption.

A spatially explicit assessment of sugarcane vinasse as a sustainable by-product

“…Moreover, biomethane is compatible with natural gas. The existing infrastructures and technologies could be employed to boost fossil fuels' direct substitution in transport, reducing CO 2 emissions by 50% ( Pääkkönen et al, 2019 ). Hence, the use of biomethane for the agricultural fleet is also an outcome of a better vinasse treatment and management.…”

Public Perceptions of Biofuels - Case Study: Frames of Biofuel Discussion in the Finnish Context

“…For instance, the potential of biomethane production in replacing fossil fuels in the heavy-duty road transport is very high in Finland (Pääkkönen et al, 2019).…”

“…In particular, "the large-scale production of liquid biofuels from forest-based biomass may become limited by the availability of suitable raw material, and may have negative implications for the carbon sink, while the large-scale use of crop-based raw materials risks competing with food production" (Pääkkönen et al, 2019).…”

“…There is much uncertainty, debates, and speculation on emission default and forest reference levels, and whether the levels should be set by the European Union or the member states themselves (Romppanen, 2017). Thus, the transition from the use of fossil fuels into utilizing renewable energy sources faces the need for policy cohesion because the comprehensive targets and respective policy instruments for bio-economy and circular economy are not well-defined and aligned in Finland (Pääkkönen, et al, 2019).…”

“…In Finland, "the use of biomethane would make it possible to run the entire truck traffic without the use of fossil fuels" (Pääkkönen, Aro, Aalto, Konttinen, & Kojo, 2019).…”