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What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Presently, in aviation industry SAF is a hot topic of discussion. Flights are huge sources of carbon emissions. One of the ways airlines could cut their emissions is by transitioning away from using petroleum-based fuels to using a low-carbon alternative known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF is extremely useful to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% in comparison with traditional fossil fuel. SAF can be combined with conventional jet fuel to power aircraft. This combination is considered as a replacement of fossil fuel which requires no alteration of aircraft technology. The resource of SAF includes corn grain, oilseed, agricultural residue, wood mill waste, municipal solid waste, wet waste etc. This entire feed stock is sufficient to meet the energy demand by 2050. Airlines that are members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. However, SAF has to be blended with traditional aviation fuel, which is made from fossil fuels. Current rules state that SAF can make up a maximum of 50% of the mixture, but in future airlines will be able to use 100% SAF by 2030.
Benefits of SAF
Growing, sourcing and producing SAF can create a new economic opportunity for farming community. During off season also they can grow crops for SAF which is helpful to earn extra money.
On top of that, biomass crops are responsible to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. In return, biodiversity will be increased and carbon will be stored in soil which can deliver environmental benefits across the country.
Production of SAF from wet wastes, like manure and sewage sludge, diminishes pollution on waterbodies, while keeping harmful methane gas, out of atmosphere.
Many SAFs contain lesser aromatic components, which ultimately burn cleaner in aircraft engines. This process results in lower local emissions of harmful compounds around airports during take-off and landing. Aromatic components are also precursors to contrails, which intensify the impacts of climate change.
Commercializing SAF
However, a series of rigorous testing and certification processes on SAF are vital to ensure the stringent safety standards of the aviation industry. Scaling up the supply of SAF remains a substantial challenge, with the Air Transport Action Group estimating that between 330 million to 445 million tons of SAF will be required by 2050. To bridge this gap, substantial financial investment is pivotal, with projections suggesting a requirement of $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion over the next few decades. In July 2024, Airbus, the Air France-KLM Group, Qantas Airways and other partners co-invested in a SAF financing fund to accelerate the production of SAF. To expand SAF production beyond current capabilities, it is crucial to develop next-generation feedstocks, such as hydrogen, captured CO2 and internationally approved processes.
Scaling up SAF
The role of carbon markets in encouraging production and investment is becoming increasingly significant as the demand for SAF grows. By supporting SAF projects, airlines and other stakeholders can offset their emissions and create additional revenue streams through these markets. The World Economic Forum’s Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply report suggests that airports can be impartial matchmakers, encourage SAF partnerships, drive public awareness, and promote SAF uplift through incentives. According to the statement, OEMs can also guarantee that future engines, fuel systems, and aircraft will be compatible with 100% SAF. As stated by the European Parliament, governments must create policies that can motivate the expansion of SAF production while reducing costs. According to BP, providing companies with certainty around long-term policies can help reduce investment risks and boost research, development, and commercialization of production technologies and innovative feedstocks. Together with aviation industry leaders and government ministers, the Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition is bringing together to develop interventions and frameworks that could make SAF more economically viable.
Conclusion
SAF can be created through a variety of technologies that utilize physical, biological, and chemical reactions to decompose biomass and waste resources and combine them into energy-dense hydrocarbons. The blend of hydrocarbons in SAF, just like conventional jet fuel, needs to be tuned to achieve the required properties for safe and reliable aircraft operation.
BETO-funded researchers are working with biorefiners, aviation companies, and farmers to develop innovative methods for creating SAFs using renewable and waste feedstocks that meet strict fuel specifications for use in existing airplanes and infrastructure. BETO is collaborating with lab and industry partners to develop new SAF pathways and fuel formulations that can be tested and certified to guarantee their compatibility with existing aircraft and infrastructure.
