  Import and export of fossil energy carriers are cornerstones of energy
systems world-wide. If energy systems are to become climate neutral and
sustainable, fossil carriers need to be substituted with carbon neutral
alternatives or electrified if possible. We investigate synthetic chemical
energy carriers, H2, CH4, MeOH, NH3 and Fischer-Tropsch fuels (FTF), produced
using electricity from RES as fossil substitutes. [...] We model the sourcing
of feedstock chemicals, synthesis and transport along nine different Energy
Supply Chains to Germany (DE) and compare import options for seven locations
around the world against each other and with domestically sourced alternatives
on the basis of their respective cost per unit of H2 and energy delivered. We
find that for each type of chemical energy carrier, there is an import option
with lower costs compared to domestic production in DE. No single exporting
country or energy carrier has a unique cost advantage, since for each energy
carrier and country there are cost-competitive alternatives. This allows
exporter and infrastructure decisions to be made based on other criteria than
energy and cost. The lowest cost means for importing of energy and H2 are by H2
pipeline from Denmark, Spain and Western Asia and Northern Africa starting at
36 EUR/MWhLHV to 42 EUR/MWh-LHV or 1.0 EUR/kg-H2 to 1.3 EUR/kg-H2 (in 2050,
assuming 5 % p.a. capital cost). For complex energy carriers derived from H2
like CH4, NH3, MeOH or FTF, imports from Argentina by ship to DE are lower cost
than closer exporters in the European Union or Western Asia and Northern
Africa. For meeting H2 demand, direct H2 imports are more attractive than
indirect routes using CH4, MeOH or NH3 imports and subsequent decomposition to
H2 because of high capital investment costs and energetic losses. We make our
model and data available under open licenses for adaptation and reuse.
