Biomethane-driven SOFC vehicles: Dual role in emission reduction and renewable energy production

Fossil fuel combustion in road transport significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, necessitating sustainable alternatives. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) fueled by biomethane offer a viable decarbonization pathway, leveraging existing biofuel infrastructure and enabling internal fuel reforming. This study employs an Integrated Assessment Model to assess the environmental benefits of introducing a biomethane-powered SOFC fleet. Additionally, this study explores the potential of SOFC vehicles to operate as prosumers, generating surplus energy to the grid during idle periods, thereby enhancing renewable energy integration. The impact assessment is analyzed in terms of CO2-eq emission reduction and air quality benefits. The scenario focuses on the emissions variation affected by the substitution of traditional light-duty vehicles with SOFC vehicles, the replacement of energy produced by non-renewable sources with the energy produced by the fleet, and the influence of the biomethane production process (including biomethane production sites and feedstock waste management). The case study is the Lombardy region in Northern Italy, characterized by elevated pollution levels. Results indicate that replacing conventional vehicles with SOFCs can reduce GHG, NOx, and NH3 emissions substantially, leading to measurable air quality improvements and decreased fossil fuel dependence in transport and energy sectors.