Open Access

Amela Ajanovic, Reinhard Haas, Martin Beermann, Gerfried Jungmeier, Christoph Zeiss

• The current energy supply is mainly relying on fossil fuels. Alternative energy carriers (AEC) - based on renewable, CO2-poor or CO2-free sources of energy - are of central importance for the transition towards a sustainable energy system and economy. The core objective of this project is to analyse the economic prospects and the likely future of ecological and energetic performance of different types of AEC in Austria. It is important to note that we do not focus on energy sources but on energy carriers. The most important AEC considered in this study are: (i) AEC from 1st generation biofuels (bio-ethanol and biodiesel) and biogas (ii) 2nd generation biofuels; (iii) hydrogen from renewable energy sources; (iv) electricity from renewableThe current energy supply is mainly relying on fossil fuels. Alternative energy carriers (AEC) - based on renewable, CO2-poor or CO2-free sources of energy - are of central importance for the transition towards a sustainable energy system and economy. The core objective of this project is to analyse the economic prospects and the likely future of ecological and energetic performance of different types of AEC in Austria. It is important to note that we do not focus on energy sources but on energy carriers. The most important AEC considered in this study are: (i) AEC from 1st generation biofuels (bio-ethanol and biodiesel) and biogas (ii) 2nd generation biofuels; (iii) hydrogen from renewable energy sources; (iv) electricity from renewable energy sources (RES); (v) other biomass-based energy carriers. In this context it is important to note that 2nd generation biofuels currently are expected to offer the largest biofuel quantity potential since the range of raw materials includes all plant components and waste products. We investigate in detail under which circumstances, to which extent and when these AEC may enter the market. Their potentials, costs, environmental aspects, cumulated primary energy demand and necessary promotion strategies are analysed in a dynamic context, whereby technological learning effects are considered. To answer these questions various scenarios have been created up to 2050. A major question in these scenarios is: Do we use arable land for biofuel production and how much? And to what extent can biomass-based resources at the utmost contribute to energy supply?…