Development of PtX sustainability standards and indicators

An Expertise for the Zukunft-Umwelt-Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH

© vladimircaribb / Fotolia

Background

How can the sustainability of synthetic fuels, so-called Power-to-X (PtX) fuels such as e-Kerosene or hydrogen, be ensured? The project "Development of PtX sustainability standards and indicators" on behalf of PtX-Lab Lausitz and Zukunft-Umwelt-Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH respectively dealt with this core question. The aim of the study was to develop two sets of criteria, an ambitious "long-term standard" and a standard with limited requirements, the "short-term standard", which represents a compromise between fast market ramp-up and sustainability.

Approach

Together with LBST (Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH), the first step was to define the relevant ecological, economic, social and political (societal) dimensions of sustainability in relation to PtX in general. These were then concretized in specific sustainability criteria for the concrete application case of PtL (power-to-liquid) for use in aviation, from which operationalizable indicators for the long-term standard were subsequently derived. In order to apply a standard, corresponding certification systems are required. Accordingly, proposals for the integration of the standard into certification systems in terms of content and organizational structure were developed.

Within the scope of the project, an expert workshop and several expert interviews were conducted. The results of these interviews were taken into account in the development of the standard.

Results

In the dimension of ecology, the following aspects are of decisive importance:

• Use of additional, renewable energies to provide electricity
• Sustainability of the CO2 source, which is needed for the synthesis of the fuels
• General greenhouse gas reduction
• Resource efficiency and water availability, and
• Consideration of land use and land use change.

With regard to the dimension of economy, the creation of economic added value proved to be central. This can be ensured by transforming the energy sector towards renewable energies in robust supply systems, while at the same time potentially increasing prosperity in countries and regions along the value chain that have so far not been involved in value creation in the energy sector due to a lack of resources.

With regard to the social pillar of sustainability, the following minimum requirements have been identified:

• Creation and safeguarding of humane working conditions
• Resilience of energy supply systems
• Avoidance of unnecessary major risks and conflict-sensitive planning and implementation of projects.

Furthermore, instead of the classical "do no harm"-approach to avoid damage, real improvements can be realized by focusing on local participation and local improvement of living conditions, for example through improved local water or energy supply.

Outlook

As a recommendation, the developed standard for PtL-Kerosene should be applied, tested and improved in the form of a pilot certification. The planned demonstration plant of the PtX Lab Lausitz would be suitable for this purpose. As a goal, the application of the standard should be extended internationally.

In addition, the German government can support the application of the standard, e.g. by public procurement checking the purchase of sustainable PtL-Kerosene. Likewise, a market-side introduction in the form of a premium offer would be conceivable.