fuelsource

Fuelsource is a term used in energy planning and engineering to denote the origin or category of fuel used by a system, facility, or vehicle. It is a generic concept rather than a standardized technical term, and its precise meaning depends on context.

Major fuel sources fall into several categories. Fossil fuels—coal, crude oil, and natural gas—remain common in power, heating, and transport. Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, come from renewable feedstocks and aim to reduce lifecycle emissions. Synthetic fuels are produced from base energy and carbon sources through processes such as Fischer–Tropsch synthesis or gasification; they include methanol, dimethyl ether, and renewable hydrocarbons. Hydrogen, generated from various feedstocks, is a growing fuelsource for zero-emission applications when used in fuel cells or high-temperature combustion.

Choosing a fuelsource involves evaluating energy density, emissions, cost, reliability, and supply security, as well as compatibility with existing infrastructure. Policy frameworks, feedstock availability, and technology maturity strongly influence decisions. In transportation, the fuelsource determines the fuel's sustainability profile; in power generation, it affects plant dispatch and emissions.

The term may appear in industry discussions, models, or software tools that map energy systems, and sometimes as a brand or project name. In all cases, fuelsource refers to the origin of the energy input used to power a system.