Several European countries are aiming for a sustainable aviation fuel mandate that will demand a certain percentage of consumed jet fuel to be from renewable sources.
Norway & Sweden are the countries which already initiated. In January 2020, Norway introduced the first SAF blending mandate. It demands just 0.5% initially but targets 30% SAF by 2030. Sweden followed with a mandate beginning at 0.8% in 2021 and increasing to 27% by 2030. Other countries anticipated to follow are Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain and others.
The market has already begun moving in the right direction, with support from more politicians, airlines and customers in regard to SAF expansion.
In 2021, Boeing committed that its commercial airplanes will be capable of and certified to fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuels by 2030.
Today, sustainable aviation fuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend — the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is expected to commit to 10% sustainable aviation fuels by 2030 at its 41st General Assembly, this year (to be held on 27 September- 7 October 2022)
References:
- https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/sustainable-fuels-role-reducing-emissions-adds-production-need
- https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/sustainable-fuels-role-reducing-emissions-adds-production-need
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/what-6-executives-europe-aviation-sector-say-eu-sustainable-fuel-saf-blending-mandate-refueleu/
- https://www.boeing.com/company/about-bca/washington/boeing-will-deliver-commercial-airplanes-ready-to-fly-on-100-sustainable-fuel.page
Hydrocarbon fuel to decarbonise aviation sector
Produced by using concentrated solar heat which converts carbon dioxide and water, the mixture of which is called syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) is then processed into jet fuel. The solar jet fuel is totally congruent with existing global fuel infrastructure and could give rise to a zero-emission future for the aviation industry.
Liquid drop-in fuels are substitutes for conventional jet fuels which do not call for refitting engines or design of new aircraft. Sunlight being the prime source for production of solar jet fuel, desert areas are the best-suited sites.
References:
- https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/getting-renewable-energy-in-the-sky-with-better-aircraft-designs/
- https://www.atag.org/component/factfigures/?Itemid
- https://www.irena.org/newsroom/articles/2021/Jun/Low-Renewable-Costs-Allow-To-Power-Past-Coal
- https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_CST_EU_Policy_2021.pdf
- https://www.iass-potsdam.de/en/news/making-aircraft-fuel-sunlight-and-air
https://www.airport-technology.com/analysis/the-sunny-side-of-aviation-the-benefits-of-synthetic-solar-fuel/ - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/12/swiss-scientist-jet-fuel-aviation-sunlight-air/
- https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/solar-jet-fuel-made-out-of-thin-air/7325.article