Repurposing Fossil Fuel Infrastructures for Clean Transport: A Path to Decarbonisation
Key Ideas
- Repurposing existing fossil fuel infrastructures for clean fuels could be faster and cheaper than building new ones, aiding in the decarbonisation of transport.
- Technologies like carbon capture storage (CCS) could play a significant role in producing zero-emissions hydrogen, helping oil companies transition.
- Converting existing vehicles to run on clean fuels through repurposing infrastructures could be more affordable and attractive than buying new vehicles.
- By repurposing fossil fuel infrastructures, Big Oil could avoid sunset investments, profit from decarbonisation, and compete with coal in industries like steelmaking.
The article discusses the challenges of transitioning to zero-emissions transport and the role of clean fuel alternatives like hydrogen, biofuels, and e-fuels in the decarbonisation of the transportation sector. It emphasizes the need to repurpose existing fossil fuel infrastructures to supply clean fuels, highlighting the potential affordability and scale advantages over building new infrastructure for mass electrification. Technologies like carbon capture storage (CCS) are proposed as solutions to produce zero-emissions hydrogen, with the suggestion that oil companies adapt to these technologies while renewable hydrogen production evolves. The article also explores the economic viability of repurposing infrastructures and converting existing vehicles to run on clean fuels, presenting these as more cost-effective and appealing options than purchasing new vehicles. Furthermore, repurposing fossil fuel infrastructures could enable Big Oil to profit from decarbonisation efforts and compete with coal in high carbon-emitting industries such as steelmaking. It suggests industry-wide agreements and co-ordination, along with regulatory oversight, as ways to facilitate the transition to clean energy. Drawing on historical lessons from the rise of electric vehicles, the article advocates for a collaborative effort to repurpose existing infrastructures and accelerate the green transition.
Topics
Power
Clean Energy
Infrastructure
Climate Change
Electric Vehicles
Decarbonisation
Renewable Fuels
Transport
Oil Industry
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