Reversing the fuel-electricity system provides for complete fossil fuel replacement and a stable grid
Book chapter, 2024

As the total cost of renewable electricity falls lower than the price of fossil fuel, electricity can not only be used to replace fossil fuels using batteries in vehicles; electricity can be used to produce fuels. This makes it possible to replace fuels in sectors not easily directly electrified. It also provides new ways of balancing the electricity system. When renewable electricity is cheap a lot of fuel can be produced (electro-fuels). When electricity gets more expensive than fuels, fuel production will stop. In rare, extrem situations, such fuels may even be used to produce electricity.

renewable electricity

fossil fuel substitution

variable electricity production

hydrogen

Renewable Energy

batteries

expensive fossil fuels

learning curves

electro-fuels

Author

Tomas Kåberger

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

The Oxford Handbook on the Greening of Economic Development


9780198883487 (ISBN)

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Areas of Advance

Energy

Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)

Economics and Business

Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

DOI

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198883487.013.9

More information

Latest update

9/8/2025 2