In the shift to sustainable power, battery cars and wind energy are the main focus. But there's another player quietly rising: alternative fuels.
According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, these renewable fuels may play a major role in the global energy transition, especially in sectors hard to electrify.
Unlike batteries that need new infrastructure, they run on today’s transport setups, which helps in aviation, freight, and maritime transport.
Popular forms are ethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is made by fermenting sugars from corn or sugarcane. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils or animal fats. They work with most existing diesel systems.
Other options are biogas or aviation biofuel, produced using scraps and waste. They might help reduce emissions in aviation and logistics.
But there are challenges. Biofuels are costly to produce. Cheaper processes and more feedstock are required. Fuel crops should not reduce food availability.
Despite these problems, they are still valuable. They avoid full infrastructure change. They also help recycle what would be trash.
Some say biofuels are only a temporary fix. But they may be a long-term tool in some sectors. They are effective immediately while waiting for full electrification.
As green goals become more urgent, biofuels have a growing role. They don’t replace electric or solar energy, they act as a support system. Through good policy and research, they here might reshape global mobility