Electric power producers need a low-cost, reliable power source when wind and solar generators are not able to meet the load requirement. Energy storage for backup such as hydro and batteries have limitations. A "green" renewable fuel that does not add CO2 to the atmosphere may be the best answer. Fuels being considered are:
Methane from waste (limited supply)
Hydrogen from renewable electricity (Handling and storage problems)
Ammonia from the Haber process 3H2 + N2 --> 2NH3 (Low energy and poor combustion)
Methanol from the Olah process 3H2 + CO2 --> H3COH + H2O (Low energy, burns clean)
The bottom two "green" fuels have modest cost and can be stored as liquids at ambient temperature, a very desirable quality. But, could we do better, maybe by blending?
Here is an idea: a blend of ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and methanol?
I confess, I could use some help. Is there another good choice for "green" fuel?
Ernest Rogers , I suggest hydrogen. Water is one of the most abundant molecules on the planet and fuel cell technology are find larger scale applications.
Depends on many affecting factors read if you like:
(1) (PDF) Spatial Management for Solar and Wind Energy in Kuwait (researchgate.net)
The question is too general to get an answer of significance. The country, its energy resources (small and medium hydro, biomass are also renewable) electrical demand and heat demand, matter a whole lot. Heat demand can be more economically met by using modern clean combustion systems. It would be possible but somewhat absurd (partly thermodynamic arguments) to seek meeting heat demands by electricity in a country that is economically not very sound and wishes to manage without depending on external donations. New sources (like hydrogen or three chemicals) will become relevant only when other solutions are exhausted because these are very expensive and safety issues need to be factored in.
There are a couple more alternative green fuels which could be readily used in existing power plants (esp. liquid-fuel-fired ones e.g. oil-fired power plants). Processes are under research and pilot plant stages for producing liquid fuels (FT-Diesel, DME, OME) which have similar calorific value as oil (in the ranges of 40-46 MJ/kg). These fuels are being produced from water electrolysis + carbon source as either atmospheric carbon dioxide/industrial carbon dioxide point source. As the constituent technologies like electrolysis become more cost-efficient and sustainable, FT-fuels could be used to 'defossilise' the existing power plants. [FT = Fischer-Tropsch; A Process used for fuel synthesis]
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