Alternative Fuels for a Net-Zero Economy: Technological Assessments and Scenario Analysis
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 October 2026 | Viewed by 281
Special Issue Editors
Interests: CO2 capture with solvents; waste-to-chemical; hydrothermal treatments; thermochemical processes
Interests: waste processing technologies; waste management; CO2-to-methanol production; thermochemical processes
Interests: waste-to-energy; waste-to-chemical; plant commissioning
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As the global transition towards a low-carbon economy accelerates, alternative fuels are increasingly emerging as essential complements to electrification and energy efficiency with a particularly crucial role in hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and shipping. Expanding the deployment of sustainable fuels enhances energy security by diversifying supply sources, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enabling the use of domestic renewable resources.
A wide portfolio of alternative fuels is currently under discussion. This includes conventional and advanced biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, hydrotreated vegetable oil, biogas and biomethane, etc.); renewable fuels of non-biological origin such as green hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels generated from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide and recycled carbon fuels obtained from non-renewable waste streams under stringent sustainability criteria. Together, these options may offer a variety of opportunities depicting dynamic and rapidly evolving scenarios and multiple routes for decarbonization while fostering energy transition.
Despite increasing attention to alternative fuels, several critical areas remain underexplored. Operational experience, performance metrics, techno-economic analyses and cost-scalability studies still require deeper investigation. Challenges related to infrastructure compatibility, distribution systems and the integration of diverse fuel types into existing markets are insufficiently addressed. Furthermore, comprehensive life-cycle assessments, socio-economic evaluations and integrated scenario modeling are essential to inform evidence-based decisions by policymakers, industry leaders and investors.
Within this context, this Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research that advances the scientific and practical understanding of alternative fuels within low-carbon transition. Invited contributions shall explore technological and process assessments, experimental campaigns and the environmental, economic and social implications of alternative fuel production and use. Particular attention is given to residues and waste-derived energy carriers, cross-sectoral integration studies, systemic analyses of selected circular value chains and scenario-based evaluations that can steer sustainable policy and investment strategies.
Dr. Antonio Conversano
Dr. Giorgia Lombardelli
Dr. Daniele Di Bona
Dr. Matteo Zatti
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- biofuels and biorefineries
- thermochemical processes
- waste-to-chemical
- circular carbon economy
- alternative fuels
- transport decarbonization
- spatial decision support systems
- infrastructure deployment
- scenario analysis
- sector coupling
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