Fuel switching is a strategic practice in energy management where one type of fuel is deliberately replaced with another to achieve specific benefits. This practice typically aims to reduce operational costs, minimize environmental impact, or both simultaneously. For instance, when a power plant transitions from coal to natural gas for electricity generation, it exemplifies fuel switching.
This change often results in lower greenhouse gas emissions while potentially offering economic advantages. The concept extends beyond industrial applications to residential and commercial settings, where building owners might switch from oil-based heating systems to electric heat pumps or from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric ones.The practice of replacing one type of fuel with another to achieve cost savings or reduce environmental impact (such as switching from using coal to gas for electricity generation).