In the race towards decarbonisation, the attention of policymakers, the media and society tends to focus on the most visible elements of the energy transition, whether that be the construction of renewable energy projects needed to green our electricity supply or the electric vehicles we need to reduce transport emissions. Of course, these elements are essential, but they represent only part of our energy ecosystem on which our way of life depends.   

Equally important, though less visible, is the logistics infrastructure that connects these technologies with the markets they serve. As the transition accelerates, we are already starting to see the consequences of policymakers and industry not prioritising policies that support the midstream, distribution element of the energy value chain. We have already seen wind farms that have to reduce or stop producing electricity due to a lack of grid capacity, or solar farms that are delayed because they cannot connect to distribution networks. 

And, for the next generation of sustainable energy technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuel; hydrogen for heavy transport and industry; or carbon capture, use, transport and storage (CCUS) for reducing industrial emissions, there will be a need to consider how we repurpose, reuse and adapt existing fuel infrastructure, such as pipelines, storage terminals or transport corridors.   

Transporting and storing new fuels and feedstocks efficiently, safely and at scale is a key requirement for these solutions to be viable. Without logistics to connect new sustainable energy technologies with their end users, even the most promising technologies remain pilot projects or isolated applications.   

Hydrogen and CO₂ transport 

One example is hydrogen logistics, which requires specialised infrastructure due to its properties, imposing challenges in both transportation and storage. Building safe and efficient logistics corridors for hydrogen is crucial to enable its use in sectors such as heavy mobility, industry or power generation. Another key component is CO₂ logistics, essential for CCUS systems. For these technologies to make a significant contribution to decarbonisation goals, logistics networks are needed to move CO₂ from emission points to geological storage or industrial reuse sites.  

One of the strengths of our existing energy infrastructure is that much of it can be adapted to integrate these new technologies. For example, storage tanks for refined liquid products can be reused to house biofuels or captured CO₂. This reuse is more efficient in terms of cost and time and accelerates the transition by maximising the use of available assets. It is therefore critical that appropriate policies and incentives are put in place to ensure that sustainable energy distribution and storage infrastructure are available in the right places, at the right times.   

Without logistics to connect new sustainable energy technologies with their end users, even the most promising technologies remain pilot projects or isolated applications.

Companies such as Exolum have proved their ability to distribute liquid and gas products safely and reliably, from production to the customer. However, with the progress of new, more sustainable fuels, especially in sectors where electrification is not a viable option, we are entering a new era where goods will be produced using a wider range of raw materials, processes and technologies, sourced from diverse locations.   

Our plans for the future are based on three key pillars: the efficient, safe and secure management of a wide range of energy products; the connecting of new markets for the sustainable fuels; and the reappraisal of the role of the energy infrastructure that we will need to ensure ongoing energy security.   

In the biofuels sector, this flexibility and adaptability will become increasingly relevant as the range of raw materials, feedstocks and products diversifies. Sustainable aviation fuels will also drive new changes, as traditional jet fuel from the Middle East will need to be blended with the biofuel from the US or Asia, at a variety of locations. With hydrogen, this approach is key to cracking the ‘chicken and egg’ problem of uncertain sources, volumes and locations of production and demand that currently acts as a barrier to its growth. Through our H2Road initiative, the company is able to offer a range of different transportation methods.  

Diversification and policy support 

We need to move to a world where we view energy security not just in terms of producing our own clean energy, but in terms of storing, moving and distributing it efficiently, safely and at scale. This is where logistics infrastructure takes on a strategic role: it can manage variations in supply and demand, respond to disruptions, and balance energy flows between different regions and technologies.  

A well-planned and adaptable logistics network is not just an element of energy system resilience, it is the foundational bedrock of the safe, secure and efficient net zero emissions energy ecosystem that a greener society and a greener economy needs.  

However, three things are needed from the policymakers: clarity of policy, consistency of implementation and certainty of strategic direction. In practice, this means that it is crucial that the timelines, the fuels and feedstocks supported, and the expected demand for sustainable fuels, are clearly defined, as the UK has done with sustainable aviation fuels. Coherent government policy that supports predictable infrastructure investment is essential. 

With clear policies, well-designed incentives and public-private collaboration, we can ensure that energy logistics infrastructure not only accompanies, but actively drives the construction of a more sustainable, secure and resilient energy system, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.  

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.  

• Further reading: 'Maritime decarbonisation: ports and green shipping corridors’. The Port of Huelva is assisting in the development of both alternative maritime fuels and green shipping corridors, thanks to its geographical position in the southern part of Spain. Director of the Port Authority of Huelva, Ignacio Álvarez-Ossorio Ramos, explains. 
• Shipping faces a formidable challenge: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. While several technologies are being developed, the first seagoing zero emission ship of any significant size is yet to be built. Find out how onboard carbon capture could provide a feasible pathway to net zero emissions for shipping.