A Framework For Integrated Assessment Of Alternative Transport Fuels In Australia
Interest in alternative transport fuels is high world-wide, driven largely by recent price volatility in oil prices and concerns about the security of oil supply (including the ‘peak oil’ issue and the political security of trading with the Middle East). Also, there are growing needs for (1) local independence from imports; and (2) recognition of the finite capacity of our atmosphere to absorb fossil-based greenhouse emissions.
This CSIRO project forms part of the Energy Transformed Flagship program, and has developed an integrated assessment framework to evaluate the options and impacts of different strategies for alternative transport fuels – including fossil-based and renewable sources. The framework consists of a comparative approach to assessing options and impacts and evaluating the fuels on the basis of a set of criteria that include sustainability. Key elements in determining environmental sustainability are greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution potential, and air toxic risk. All of these, but especially greenhouse gas emissions need to be considered on a life-cycle basis.
In the longer term, the project will develop a scenario-based approach to explore Australia’s potential transport fuel futures, taking into account the environmental, economic and social implications of various pathways.