November 10, 2009

Report Explores Future of Low-Carbon Fuels

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Accenture suggests that competitors in the market for new transport fuels must consider key actions: 

• Place scientists and engineers in leadership positions, not only to drive technology development, but to support sound regulations and policy by facilitating debate and understanding of the pros, cons and trade-offs between the technologies.
• Improve cooperation between multiple sectors, for instance between the battery, utilities and car industries.
• Accelerate commercial viability by improving project management excellence and supply-chain optimization to reduce costs and increase margins.
• Improve risk management to mitigate the volatility of immature markets, for instance the price of new feedstocks or the level of electricity demand for PHEVs.  

According to the report, the diversity of new fuel technologies in each local market can allow governments to better meet energy security and economic development needs than globally traded hydrocarbons do today. Although most technologies will be widely available, local conditions will determine different weightings, with Brazil focusing on sugar cane-based fuels, South Korea and Japan on electrification, and China and the U.S. on all fuel options. 

The report, "Betting on Science, Disruptive Technologies in Transport Fuels," identified 12 technologies that have the potential to disrupt current supply, demand and GHG forecasts. It profiles 25 companies bringing these technologies to market, assesses the level of private activity in 10 countries and summarizes their local regulatory landscape.  

The study comprised primary and secondary research, including analysis of more than 100 companies and interviews with leading scientists and more than 30 companies. 

Accenture defined disruptive fuel technologies as those that:

• Reduce hydrocarbon fuel demand by more than 20 percent by 2030
• Save greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by more than 30 percent relative to the hydrocarbons they replace
• Will be commercial in less than five years
• Will be competitive at an oil price of $45 to $90 at their commercial date.

For more information about the report, visit www.accenture.com.