Decarbonisation Technology February 2026 Issue

Synthetic e-fuel production technologies Synthetic e-fuels represent an important pathway for decarbonising hard-to- electrify sectors, offering compatibility with existing energy infrastructure

Eser Dinçer Hafızoğlu, Tuğçe Özperçin, Aysel Zahidova, and Vahide Mutlu SOCAR Türkiye Research & Development and Innovation Inc

A tmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations have risen substantially due to the use of fossil fuels as the main source of energy. Concurrently, industrial expansion has led to resource depletion. Consequently, the development of sustainable, economical, and scalable CO₂ mitigation strategies has gained significant attention. Using CO₂ as a renewable carbon feedstock for fuel and chemical production offers a promising pathway to reduce reliance on fossil resources and advance sustainable energy systems ( Alli, et al., 2025 ). Aviation, maritime shipping, and heavy- duty road transport depend on high-energy liquid fuels because their long-range and load requirements exceed the capabilities of current battery technologies. Direct electrification in these sectors remains technically and economically limited; thus, alternative low- carbon fuels are essential for meeting net-zero emission targets. Recent volatility in global energy markets has exposed the vulnerability of fossil fuel- dependent systems, elevating energy security as a central policy concern. In this context,

synthetic e-fuels have emerged as a strategic solution, enabling substantial emission reductions while leveraging existing fuel infrastructure and technologies (IEA, 2023) . Synthetic e-fuels are artificial fuels produced by converting renewable electricity into chemical energy in the form of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons. Their defining characteristic is carbon neutrality: the combustion of synthetic fuels releases CO₂ equivalent to that captured during their synthesis. When both hydrogen (H₂) and carbon inputs originate from renewable, sustainable sources, life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions can approach net zero, distinguishing e-fuels from fossil fuels. E-fuels vary in infrastructure compatibility. ‘Drop-in’ fuels, such as e-kerosene and e-diesel, function in existing engines, whereas e-ammonia and e-methanol require new storage and combustion systems but offer sector- specific advantages, particularly in maritime applications (Segovia-Hernandez, 2025) . Synthetic e-fuel production pathways E-fuels are carbon-neutral synthetic fuels produced through the combination of green

Methanation

E-methane

CO 2 capture (Point source or direct air capture)

E-DME

Methanol synthesis

E-methanol

E-gasoline

Renewable electricity (Wind/solar/hydropower)

Electrolysis

E-diesel E-Jet fuel E-gasoline

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

RWGS

Haber-Bosch synthesis

E-ammonia

N separation

Figure 1 Schematic representation of e-fuel production (Dybinski, et al., 2025)