Flexfuels Can Power Future Mobility of Bahrain

Flexfuels Can Power Future Mobility of Bahrain SRIRAJ KOTA Flex fuels or flexible fuels and biofuels are rapidly gaining attention around the world today as environmentally conscious consumers and carbon-footprint aware governments and organisations are increasingly including flex fuels in the future policies and planning. Flex fuels are those that can be used in automobiles whose engines are designed to run on a variety of gasoline-ethanol blends, most commonly up to E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). These engines have sensors and control systems that automatically adjust to the fuel mixture, optimising performance and emissions for different blends. Flex fuel technology needs changes in automotive engine design which in turn can help progress towards environmentally sustainable transportation..

Currently the majority of Bahrain’s transportation needs are catered to by fossil fuels. But proactive initiatives by Bahrain have also helped in ramp up renewable fuel production, especially ethanol. Ethanol plays a very vital role in establishing a flex fuel system and thanks to policies such as the Renewable Energy Law and National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, Bahrain has accelerated ethanol production. Moreover the increasing demand for renewable fuels and support for sustainable energy has helped encourage advancements in production technology which is expected to grow at a significant compound annual growth rate of 8.2% between 2024 and 2030.

Bahrain’s ethanol production is anticipated to progress well in the coming years, underpinned by increasing trends towards sustainability and technological advancements in biofuel production. Expanding feedstock diversification and continual innovation in processing techniques present significant opportunities for ethanol. Additionally, ongoing governmental support and rising local demand for cleaner fuel alternatives position the market future positively, despite potential challenges in raw material supply.

In order for a renewable fuel to successfully emerge as a viable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel, the steady supply of the same is critical. In light of the inherent supply challenges existing in ethanol, Bahrain has done well to align its focus on used cooking oil (UCO) and date palm waste (DPW) to turn them zero-carbon diesel alternative and biofuel respectively. Purely from uninterrupted supply point of view, the locally produced and environmentally friendly fuel sources such as UCO and DPW are the need of the hour. Scientific studies have shown the possibility of extracting biofuel oil from the nuclei of date palms, a resource-rich waste product in Bahrain, suggesting a path for local biofuel production from agricultural waste.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)