Sustainable Fuels for Gas Turbines—A Review

The increasing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified the need to replace fossil fuels in gas turbines, particularly in aviation and power generation where alternatives to gas turbines are currently limited. This review explores the feasibility of utilizing sustainable liquid and gaseous fuels in gas turbines by evaluating their environmental impacts, performance characteristics, and technical integration potential. The study examines a broad range of alternatives, including biofuels, hydrogen, alcohols, ethers, synthetic fuels, and biogas, focusing on their production methods, combustion behavior, and compatibility with existing turbine technology. Key findings indicate that several bio-derived and synthetic fuels can serve as viable drop-in replacements for conventional jet fuels, especially under ASTM D7566 standards. Hydrogen and other gaseous alternatives show promise for industrial applications but require significant combustion system adaptations. The study concludes that a transition to sustainable fuels in gas turbines is achievable through coordinated advancements in combustion technology, fuel infrastructure, and regulatory support, thus enabling meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and advancing global decarbonization efforts.