Technology index

Ways to make your own fuel

Eight pathways, from a rooftop solar array to industrial synthetic fuel. Each page covers how the technology works, what it can realistically power, what it costs, and the safety and regulatory ground rules.

Biogas / Biomethane

Waste → methane

Organic material breaks down without oxygen inside an anaerobic digester, producing methane-rich gas.

Biological pathwayMedium

Biodiesel

Oil → diesel-compatible fuel

Oils and fats are chemically converted into a thinner, diesel-compatible fuel that burns in compression-ignition engines.

Liquid fuelMedium–High

Ethanol Fuel

Sugar → alcohol fuel

Sugar is fermented into alcohol and then purified for fuel use.

Liquid fuelMedium–High

Wood Gas / Producer Gas

Biomass → combustible gas

A gasifier heats biomass under controlled oxygen conditions, producing a combustible gas mixture.

Biological pathwayHigh

Hydrogen

Electricity + water → hydrogen

Electricity can split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Electric & syntheticVery High

Synthetic Fuels / E-Fuels

Renewable energy + carbon → liquid fuel

Renewable hydrogen can be combined with captured carbon to create synthetic fuels.

Electric & syntheticIndustrial

Methanol

Syngas → simple alcohol fuel

Syngas is catalytically converted into methanol, a simple liquid alcohol fuel.

Liquid fuelIndustrial

Electricity

Renewable power → EV energy

Renewable generation produces electricity, a battery stores it, and a charger moves it into a vehicle.

Electric & syntheticLow–Medium