As the planet deals with the problems of increased energy use, unstable fuel prices, and climate change effects getting worse very fast, the demand for cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel technologies is getting higher. While renewable energy is definitely changing the energy sector of electricity, the fact is that liquid fuels are still necessary for the aviation sector, sea transportation, heavy transport, and industrial transportation. This is the moment when the significance of next-generation fuels, or fourth-generation fuels, rises to the highest level.
Case study: Biofuels to breakthrough
Biofuels are produced from biomass that can include agricultural wastes, forestry wastes, algae, and organic effluents. In recent years, biofuels have undergone development through four generations, with each succeeding generation becoming increasingly efficient and sustainable than its predecessor.
First-generation biofuels utilised food biomass and there was a food security issue. Second-generation biofuels utilised non-food biomass and there were technology and economic difficulties. Third-generation biofuels, which are algae-based, have higher production and do not compete for land.
Fourth generation fuels bring an entirely new approach which combines biotechnology, advanced synthetic biology, as well as carbon capture technology to redefine production as well as emissions strategies.
What makes 4G fuels different?
4G fuels are produced through genetically modified organisms such as microalgae, cyanobacteria, yeast and bacteria. These organisms are engineered to optimise the production of high-energy molecules such as lipids, alcohols, and hydrocarbons using non-traditional feed stocks, such as waste, as well as carbon dioxide.
One of the key characteristics of 4G fuels is their ability to be used in combination with carbon capture and storage or usage. This captured carbon dioxide, or carbon dioxide that has been absorbed in the process of plant growth, can be converted into a permanent storage or used in the fuel processing stages. This may open up new avenues in the field of carbon-negative fuels, which will address the emissions challenge.
By depending on non-arable land, ponds, bioreactors, and waste CO₂, 4G fuels escape land competition with food crops and solve land issues of earlier biofuels.
How 4G fuels are processed
The process of production for 4G fuels is dependent on genetic engineering. Methods like the use of CRISPR/Cas9 are employed to improve the metabolism and photosynthesis rates as well as the lipid or alcohol production in the organisms. Moreover, the microorganisms can convert the captured CO2 and the green hydrogen into fuel like ethanol or synthetic diesel.
These are 4G biodiesel from genetically modified algae and 4G ethanol from microbes genetically modified to convert CO2 into fuel molecules. Then there is the addition of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage or BECCS because, in BECCS, the increased potential is achieved through the absorbing power of biomass, which absorbs CO2 during the growth stage, and then CO2 emissions are captured after the usage of the biomass.
Benefits for more than just emissions reduction
The benefits of 4G fuels extend beyond the reduction of carbon emissions. The fuels help with the reduction of dependence on oil, enhance energy security, as well as enhance resilience in the wake of market volatility. The fuels promote the use of circular economy principles by converting wastages into fuels, hence facilitating the reduction of downstream carbon emissions.
The biodiesel production process through 4G technology, in particular, yields cleaner fuels, supports agricultural and rural value chains, and has various socio-economic benefits. Biotechnology & engineering jobs and the production of clean energy are among the benefits.
A growing ecosystem
The 4G fuel industry covers the entire value chain. Based on raw materials, it comprises providers of biomass, waste resources, and waste collection technology. The technology category comprises research organisations, refiners, solution developers, certifying organisations, and infrastructure developers. On the other side, the demand side consumers comprise oil marketing, car manufacturing, air transport, ocean transport, chemical production, and other consumers.
This ecosystem has a foundation based on the support systems and investments made by banks, private equity, the government, and trade bodies.
Why 4G fuels matter
While nations are working on net-zero goals and trying to achieve a stable energy mix, the use of 4G fuels has proven to be a very viable alternative for industries that cannot readily implement the use of electricity. They permit the utilisation of current engines and fuelling systems while working on a reduction in emissions. In a world that’s in need of scalable solutions for the challenges of climate change, fourth generation fuels represent a crossroads between clean energy, biotech and carbon management that provides a plausible transition between today’s carbon-dependent economy and a true low-carbon future.
