(141a) Alternative Fuels for Techno Economically Sustainable Energy Transition: Deploying Hybrid Fuel Blends for a Low-Carbon Future

The global energy landscape is at a pivotal crossroads, driven by the urgent need for clean, affordable, and secure energy systems. While renewable energy sources such as solar and wind have seen significant advancements and growing adoption, their inherent intermittency and integration challenges highlight the need for complementary energy solutions. By synthesizing and blending clean alternative fuels namely hydrogen, methanol and ammonia from both renewable and fossil-based (with carbon capture) sources, they can support the transition toward decarbonized energy generation while leveraging existing infrastructure. Blending of fuel in combustion system will present a transformative pathway to enable a more flexible, efficient, and low-emission energy system.

Hybrid fuel technologies offer compelling advantages in addressing grid variability, particularly as renewable penetration increases and traditional baseload power sources such as coal and nuclear are phased down. When used in power generators, hybrid fuels can help balance fluctuating demand and supply by utilizing curtailed renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, which is then synthesized into ammonia and methanol or used directly in blends. These blended fuels can be tailored to achieve specific performance goals—such as higher energy density, improved flame characteristics such as flame speed and ignition delay, lower NOx emissions, and compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure—making them suitable for applications in gas turbines and high-temperature fuel cells.

The synthesis of hybrid fuels capitalizes on the complementary characteristics of the individual components. Hydrogen, with its high flame speed and clean combustion profile, enhances overall combustion efficiency, but suffers from low volumetric density and storage complexity. Methanol, an energy-dense liquid, supports charge cooling and easier storage but presents challenges like low vapor pressure and partial combustion. Ammonia, while carbon-free and offering low NOx formation, has a slow flame speed and high ignition delay. Blending these fuels strategically can overcome individual limitations, producing synergistic effects that enable efficient and cleaner combustion. Economic analysis reveal that hydrogen-methanol-ammonia blends derived from both blue (fossil-based with carbon capture) and green (renewable-based) sources can compete favourably with conventional diesel, gasoline, and natural gas on a cost-per-MMBtu basis.

Thus, hybrid fuels represent a promising and pragmatic pathway toward achieving a secure, clean, and cost-effective energy future. Their compatibility with both renewable integration and existing fossil infrastructure allows for a transitional model that is scalable, flexible, and resilient. By investing in the combustion science, fuel synthesis technologies, and infrastructure adaptations necessary for their deployment, nations can ensure energy security while meeting climate goals. Our study presents a comprehensive overview of blended fuels at different mixing ratios in comparison with traditional fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and natural gas, from both technical and economic perspective highlighting the promising advantages of alternative fuels for future applications.

Key Words: Hydrogen, Methanol, Ammonia, Hybrid fuel