Resources and their mobilization
The supply of feedstock is the first step in the renewable energy supply chain. The biogenic feedstocks suitable for biofuel production can be categorized based on various criteria. Regulations primarily divide them into biogenic products (primarily cultivated or crop plants), biogenic by-products, and wastes and residues. In addition to being categorized by origin, the various biogenic feedstocks can also be differentiated based on their physical and chemical properties.
The main raw materials for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) are electricity from renewable sources and water to produce green hydrogen via electrolysis as well as a carbon source (usually CO2) so that they can be further processed into fuels that contain carbon. The electricity can be generated from wind and solar energy, biomass, geothermal energy or hydropower, and carbon dioxide can be obtained from either industrial processes (of fossil or biogenic origin) or directly from the air.
The figure below shows the main feedstocks based on their origin and composition (without weighting them based on proportion of real use).
© DBFZ 2023 Naumann, K.; Costa de Paiva, G.; Neuling, U.; Zitscher, T.; Nieß, S.; Cyffka, K.-F. (2023): Resources and their mobilization. In: 10.48480/4xdx-xy05 Figure 4-1
A quantification of the potentials for renewable fuels is still associated with considerable uncertainties and resulting bandwidths, especially at the international level. The implementation potential for the transport sector can be assessed as low to limited for biogenic resources and limited to high for e-fuels. Through research and development, the state of knowledge on the status quo and the prospective developments of renewable resources must be significantly improved in order to better assess their contribution to sustainable development in the transport sector and also to be able to steer them in the sense of a coordinated biomass strategy.