Large-scale economic production of sustainable aviation fuels in Europe

Abstract

The EU commitment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in all sectors of at least 55 % by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, requires the transport sector to contribute substantially. Heavy-duty transportation, especially aviation and shipping, will continue to rely on liquid fuels for their higher energy density and must be replaced by sustainable alternatives. If European refineries start to supply an increasing share of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at EU airports as part of the ReFuelEU Aviation sustainable air transport initiative, an entire new market will be established and large-scale production capacities implemented. Standardized, transparent holistic assessment of sustainable fuels can A) facilitate investment decisions and B) recommend regulation for market introduction towards true defossilization of transport. Applying our tool for simultaneous technical, economic and ecological assessment (inhouse tool TEPET) allows to identify the best possible choices of feedstocks, process design and system integration with reliable cost and GHG emissions reduction prediction. SAF production ramp-up speed, overall supply costs and remarkable GHG abatement are the three key criteria aviation industry is demanding from future fuel suppliers. What are advantageous regions for European SAF production and what options for smooth system integration might be considered? What production costs, GHG emission reduction and overall production potential can be expected in each European region? What barriers prevent the Europe from reaching its GHG emissions reduction commitment by 2030? Answers to all of these questions are interlinked and will be provided for the most promising SAF route. Combining the use of renewable electricity and nonfarm-based biomass allows large-scale low carbon fuels production (Power and Biomass to Liquid process). Syngas derived from biomass gasification is complemented with hydrogen from renewable electricity and converted to liquid hydrocarbons in the Fischer-Tropsch process. The product with some refinery upgrading steps is certified for global civil aviation as 50 percent blend to reduce the GHG emissions of the aviation industry.