ANALYSIS OF BIOFUEL ROLE IN DECARBONIZATION OF TRANSPORT AND ACHIEVING CLIMATE NEUTRALITY

Abstract

The aim of the work is to develop recommendations for decarbonizing the transport sector of Ukraine by increasing the use of liquid and gaseous biofuels. The research methods include calculations, study and analysis of literature, statistical and other data. Ukraine is making significant efforts to implement the main principles of the European Green Deal. From the experience of the "green" energy transition in the EU, it is known that transport is difficult to decarbonize compared to the sectors of heat and power production. European practice also shows that the use of biofuels is the most effective measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transport. In this case, the emphasis should be on second-generation biofuels, since they provide a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 80...90% compared to the use of petroleum fuels. The EU's successes in increasing the consumption of renewable energy and strengthening the decarbonisation process are largely due to the implementation of a long-term consistent climate policy. The goals of one specific period are reasonably updated by the next ones, the mechanisms for achieving the goals being constantly analysed and improved. Europe's climate policy is consistent with the energy policy, in particular with the goals of the EU Renewable Energy Directive. This approach is a positive example for Ukraine. In Ukraine, climate policy is aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050, which is in line with the goals of the European Green Deal. The intermediate goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Meeting these ambitious national goals requires decarbonisation of all sectors of the economy, including transport. For Ukrainian conditions, the consumption of compressed biomethane in transport seems to be promising, since Ukraine itself produces biomethane and has already had experience in using compressed natural gas as a motor fuel for buses and trucks. The use of compressed biomethane in transport instead of natural gas will make a significant contribution to decarbonisation, as Ukraine has a sufficient feedstocks for the production of biomethane with a very low carbon footprint. Such biomethane can be obtained from lignocellulosic agricultural residues, livestock manure, intermediate and cover crops. In terms of liquid biofuels, currently, Ukraine produces almost only first-generation bioethanol. In the future, it is recommended to launch the production of biofuels for aviation and maritime transport. The prerequisites for this are the availability of the potential of the necessary types of biomass, as well as the existing results of scientific and practical work. Initially, these biofuels can be exported to Europe, which will contribute to achieving the EU's goals for the decarbonisation of the relevant transport sectors. When the post-war development of Ukraine begins, these biofuels will also be consumed in domestic aviation and maritime transport. Production can be started from such types as hydrotreated ethers and fatty acids (HEFA) and hydrotreated vegetable oil, for example, from camelina as feedstock, and later move on to producing advanced liquid biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. During the period of post-war development of Ukraine, it seems appropriate to additionally analyse Ukraine's climate policy and energy strategy for their consistency across various sectors, including the transport sector.