(AEV) SHELL & LUFTHANSA TO SIGN SAF PARTNERSHIP DEAL

SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) continues to be seen as the most practical solution for green flights that the aviation industry can implement right now, instead of the long-term alternatives. SAF plays a major role for both Shell and Lufthansa when it comes to their strategies for the future, so it makes sense for these two major players to join forces.

Lufthansa and Shell announced the launch of a collaboration that will result in significant amounts of SAF being supplied at multiple airports across the globe. The final contract hasn’t been signed yet, but the figures are impressive – a total of 1.8 million metric tons of green jet fuel will be supplied over a period of seven years, starting in 2024. This means that Lufthansa would roughly have its SAF supplies ensured for this decade.

Lufthansa Group claims to be the biggest SAF customer in Europe and has been involved in research related to alternative fuels for many years. It also supports the development of next-generation aviation fuels, which are supposed to be more sustainable, using renewable energy such as solar power. On the way to the big goal of becoming completely carbon neutral by 2050, the German group wants to cut its CO2 emissions in half by the end of this decade, compared to the 2019 levels.

Shell has similar plans, with the main focus on SAF, which is expected to cover 10% of the company’s global aviation fuel sales by 2030. Last year, Shell kicked off operations for two Energy and Chemicals Parks, one in Rheinland, Germany, and the other one in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the goal of gradually switching from conventional to green fuel production. The new Energy Park in Rotterdam has a capacity of almost 904,000 tons (820,000 tonnes) per year, and SAF represents more than half of that.

This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step for the use of SAF in Europe, but it doesn’t beat the purchase made by United Airlines last year. That contract with Alder Fuels is for 1.5 billion gallons of SAF, delivered over 20 years. So far, that’s the biggest SAF purchase agreement in history. autoevolution - link - Otilia Dragan - link - more like this (SAF) - link - more like this (Lufthansa) - link - more like this (Shell) - link

(EUR) EU PERFECTS AVIATION SMOKE AND MIRRORS

MEPs in Strasbourg gave their support to higher SAF targets and expanded the list of feedstocks from which SAF can be produced. [Lacosteman / Shutterstock.com]

The European Parliament approved draft EU rules Thursday (7 July) to greatly increase the amount of green jet fuel used in the aviation sector, a move lawmakers say will help to slash flying’s carbon footprint.

Under plans tabled by the European Commission in July 2021, aircrafts refuelling at EU airports would be obliged to uplift kerosene mixed with less polluting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The percentage of SAF in the mix would increase at roughly five-year intervals.

Lawmakers in Strasbourg gave their support to higher SAF targets than those proposed by the European Commission and expanded the list of feedstocks from which SAF can be produced.

Under the Parliament’s position, aviation fuel must include 2% SAF from 2025, rising to 85% by 2050 – a significant increase from the Commission’s original proposal of 63% SAF by 2050.

The Parliament also pushed up sub-targets for synthetic fuels to 50% of all jet fuel by 2050.

The proposed rules aren’t final yet. To become law, they have to be agreed by negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states during so-called trialogue talks due to start in September.

Søren Gade, the Danish lawmaker responsible for directing the file through Parliament, hailed the result as a “strong and ambitious signal to the citizens of Europe”.

“We heard you when you called for climate action, and we are working as much as we can to achieve a truly green Europe,” he said. Euractiv - link - Sean Goulding Carroll - link - more like this (SAF) - link

Hearing not quite so good when it comes to promoting/necessitating Ghost Flights - link - and the fact that natural gas is not a Green fuel - link - c'est la vie

(SIM) EMBRAER COMPLETES FLIGHT ON 100% SAF

On Thursday, Pratt & Whitney and Embraer announced they have successfully tested a GTF-powered Embraer E195-E2 aircraft on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

The test is a step forward toward scaling up SAF production and consumption worldwide as the airline industry looks to become greener. 

Both companies held a flight test onboard Embraer’s emblematic Tech Lion Profit Hunter, an E195-E2 that has toured the world showcasing the family aircraft. The test was operated with one engine running on 100% SAF and validated that GTF engines and the E-Jets E2 family can fly on both engines with blends of up to 100% SAF without compromising safety or performance.

The Tech Lion aircraft completed two days of ground tests at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Florida, culminating in a 70-minute flight test at Varo Beach Regional Airport.

Rodrigo Silva e Souza, vice president of Strategy and Sustainability at Embraer Commercial Aviation, said,

“The E2 is already the most efficient single-aisle aircraft flying today, saving up to 25% CO2 emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. This reduction in emissions can be increased up to an impressive 85% with 100% SAF. Replacement of older aircraft by new-generation products and scaling up SAF production are the two most effective actions commercial aviation can take now to reduce emissions significantly.”

True Zero-carbon solutions for the airline industry won’t be around for the next 30 years. While the technology evolves, SAF will need to plug the gap and function as a solid interim solution to the aviation CO2 emissions.

Last year, Embraer and Pratt & Whitney signed a memorandum of understanding regarding testing 100% SAF fuels.

According to ASTM International specifications, aircraft can only fly on a maximum of a 50/50 blend of sustainable and traditional fossil fuels. Both companies expect future specifications will enable blends of up to 100% SAF to maximize the emissions reduction potential of using fuel derived from sustainable, non-fossil-based feedstocks. Simple Flying - link - Daniel Martinez Garbuno - link - more like this (SAF) - link - more like this (Embraer) - link

(UPS) SHELL FIRST TO SUPPLY SAF IN SINGAPORE

Shell has upgraded its facility in Singapore to blend SAF domestically

European supermajor Shell has become the first supplier of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Singapore and has upgraded its facility in the country to blend SAF domestically.

SAF is approved to be used in aircrafts if it is blended with conventional jet fuel at a percentage of up to 50%.

The move comes after Shell outlined plans for a biofuels facility at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore, subject to a final investment decision, that would produce 550,000 tonnes of biofuels per year.

“Today’s announcement is an example of how we are building the capabilities now to accelerate the use of SAF in Asia,” said Jan Toschka, global president of Shell Aviation.

“Alongside investing in our capabilities to produce SAF, we are also focused on developing the regional infrastructure needed to get the fuel to our customers at their key locations.”

SAF is made from waste and sustainable products, according to Shell, and was blended in Europe, but subsequent batches will be blended at Shell’s facility.

Shell has previously announced it plans to produce around 2 million tonnes of SAF a year by 2025. Upstream - link - Naomi Klinge - link - more like this - link - more like this (Singapore) - link

(SIM) VIRGIN ADOPTS SAF

Virgin Atlantic has become the latest airline to jump onto the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) wagon. 

The London-based carrier has ordered 2.5 million liters of such fuel to be delivered to Heathrow Airport before July. The announcement comes days after manufacturer Boeing announced a large SAF order.

The past couple of weeks has seen a noticeable increase in the number of SAF orders announced by all corners of the aviation industry. It comes as sustainability remains the key focus for aviation, as the emphasis slowly moves away from the pandemic impact. Given the lead time required for next-generation fuels, SAF is currently considered to be the best emission reduction tool available now.

Virgin Atlantic's order

Virgin Atlantic's SAF order is for 2.5 million liters of fuel, equating to 2,000 metric tonnes. The entire order is expected to be delivered to London Heathrow within the next five months. SAF has to be mixed with conventional fuels, as a maximum blend of 50/50 is currently approved for use in commercial aircraft operations. The airline told Simple Flying that Neste would be providing a 38% SAF/62% fossil fuel blend. This would give a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when used.

Commenting on the order, Holly Boyd-Boland, VP Corporate Development, Virgin Atlantic, said,

"After fleet renewal, SAF represents the greatest opportunity to decarbonise aviation in the short to medium term. This supply is the beginning of commercial SAF at scale for Virgin Atlantic and whilst only enough to operate 140 flights between London and New York, it’s a starting point" Simple Flying- link - Tom Boon - link - irony - link - more like this - link

(SIM) DECARBONISING AVIATION

ZeoAvia has the most aggressive timeline of hydrogen fuel-cell developers. Photo: United Airlines

Overall, there is a consensus that aviation will need a portfolio of environmentally friendly aeronautic technology in order to make progress towards decarbonization. However, industry sources say that to reach true net-zero, there is no alternative to green hydrogen - preferably as a direct fuel source.

During a webinar on the future of air mobility hosted by McKinsey, the consensus among the participants was clear - there is no other plausible alternative to hydrogen if aviation is to reach its net-zero emissions targets.

While most of the webinar's presenters have companies that stand to gain from the proliferation of hydrogen-propulsion technology, EU representatives also share the view that the greatest misconception about hydrogen is that there exists an alternative.

Ron van Manen, Head Of Strategic Development at Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry, says whether or not it is in the form of e-fuels or directly powering the planes, hydrogen will be entirely essential.

"If we're going to accept the fact that aviation needs to be part of the solution in terms of climate neutrality, we're going to need hydrogen," van Manen said during the interview last week."

Synthetic kerosene 'inefficient'

Liquid e-fuels, where carbon atoms are attached to the hydrogen through a process of electrolysis and then burned, are a less-than-ideal option in terms of efficiency and only truly zero-emission when combined with direct air carbon capture technology.

However, some are quite forceful in their attack on the inefficiency of the use of synthetic kerosene as a drop-in fuel. Paul Eremenko, former CEO of Airbus Silicone Valley innovation center and founder of Universal Hydrogen,

"You're taking perfectly good green hydrogen, right. And you're saying, hey, I'm going to tack on carbon atoms to it. Then I'm going to burn those hydrocarbons at 35,000 feet. And then, I'm going to attempt to atone for the CO2 and the non-CO2 effects of a comparable magnitude. (...) This is total insanity, right? If you're an alien that comes to earth and looks at this, you'd be asking what is wrong with you people?"

Costs will be competitive

While many hydrogen-powertrain developers have a more modest timeline, ZeroAvia is aiming for a hydrogen-electric passenger flight between the UK and the Netherlands as soon as 2024. Furthermore, the company wants to have a powertrain for a 90-seat aircraft ready by 2027.

Its CEO, Val Miftakhov, says he believes wholeheartedly that the transition is going to happen. Macroeconomic principles of renewable energy will take care of the production costs compared to fossil fuels.

"For real transition - for fundamental transition - it's only about green hydrogen. And already you have economics of large projects today, green hydrogen projects, that are competitive on a per kilo or per-seat mile basis. If you use hydrogen and smaller regional aircraft, let's say, 20- to 30-seater aircraft, you could already be competitive." Simple Flying - link - Linnea Ahlgren - link - SAF - link - more like this - link

(BTR) AIR FRANCE SAF COMMITMENT

Air France is adding a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) levy to all tickets departing France from today.

The airline says that “French regulations require the incorporation of 1 per cent SAF on all fuels departing from France. As a result, a SAF contribution will be included in the price of each ticket, ranging from €1-4 in the economy cabin to €1.50-12 in the business cabin, depending on distance.”

The airline estimates that as a result of this, as well as voluntary contributions from corporate customers, over 15,000 tones of SAF will be used on its aircraft in 2022, around ten times more than the previous year.

Air France says that it is investing €1 billion annually in fleet renewal, and that between 2005 and 2019 it cut its CO2 emissions by six per cent, despite an increase in traffic. The airline is aiming for a 15 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions in 2030 compared with 2005. Business Traveller- link - Tom Otley - link - more like this (France) - link - more like this - link

(SIM) QUANTAS TO BUY 10 MILLION LITRES OF SAF IN 2022

Qantas has confirmed signing an agreement with bp to buy 10 million liters of SAF across 2022. There are options for further deliveries in 2023 and 2024. Qantas says the deal covers up to 15% of the airline’s annual fuel use out of London.

“Zero-emission technology like electric aircraft or green hydrogen are still a very long way off for aviation, and even further away for long-haul flights like London to Australia. SAF and high-quality carbon offsetting are therefore critical on the path to net-zero,” says Qantas Group Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Parker.

“Aviation biofuels typically deliver around an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to the jet fuel it is replacing and is the most significant tool airlines have to reduce their impact on the environment.”

Qantas is also taking to SAF suppliers at other airports with an eye to implementing similar deals. Recently, the airline joined other oneworld airlines in signing a memorandum of understanding to use SAF for flights from San Francisco from 2024. Sustainable aviation fuel is several times more expensive than traditional kerosine-based jet fuel. Teaming up with other airlines is one way to bring the costs down.

Aviation accounts for around 2% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, producing approximately 915 million tonnes in 2019. The aviation industry is a relatively small contributor overall. However, that contribution to overall carbon emissions is rising and airlines are under pressure to address the problem. Simply Flying - link - Andrew Curran - link - more like this - link - more like this (Australia) - link

(GCC) 100% SAF TRIAL FLIGHT SUCCESS

Initial findings from a world-first study of the impact of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial jet have provided promising early results, according to the participants.

The ECLIF3 study (Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels) (earlier post), involving Airbus, Rolls-Royce, German research center DLR and SAF producer Neste, marks the first time 100% SAF has been measured simultaneously on both engines of a commercial passenger aircraft—an Airbus A350 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

In-flight emissions tests and associated ground testing on the ECLIF3 program began earlier this year and have recently resumed. The interdisciplinary team, which also includes researchers from the National Research Council of Canada and The University of Manchester, plans to publish its results in academic journals towards the end of next year and in 2023.

Findings from the study will support efforts currently underway at Airbus and Rolls-Royce to ensure the aviation sector is ready for the large-scale use of SAF as part of the wider initiative to decarbonise the industry. Aircraft are currently only allowed to operate on a 50% blend of SAF and conventional jet fuel, but both companies support the drive to certify 100% SAF use.

In April 2021, the A350 flew three flights over the Mediterranean Sea pursued by a DLR Falcon chaser plane to compare in-flight emissions of both kerosene and Neste’s hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) sustainable fuel. The team also carried out compliance tests using 100% SAF and no operational issues were experienced during these initial test flights. Green Car Congress - link - GCC muck rack - link - more like this - link

(AEV) SAF VERSUS HYDROGEN

There’s an ongoing debate about sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) versus hydrogen when it comes to the subject of sustainable aviation. Some say that SAF is the best available solution right now, while others think that liquid hydrogen is the answer for long-term green aviation.

While the U.S. Government is investing millions of dollars into SAF development-related projects, and giants such as United Airlines are signing huge purchase agreements for alternatives to conventional fuel, a small startup in the Netherlands is slowly working on the world’s first manned liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft.

AeroDelft is an impressive company not just because of its very ambitious goal but also because its team consists of 50 students from various institutions, including TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Utrecht University, representing a total of 17 nationalities. Each of these students is bringing a unique expertise to Project Phoenix, set to become the first zero-emissions aircraft running entirely on liquid hydrogen.

The company was set up in 2018 and is currently working on both the 1:3 scale prototype and the full-scale version. The prototype (Phoenix PT) is an E-genius airplane with a wingspan of almost 20 feet (6 meters) and a maximum take-off weight of 110 lbs (50 kg). In comparison, the full-scale version (Phoenix FS) is a two-seater Sling 4 aircraft with a wingspan of almost 33 feet (10 meters) and a take-off weight of 2,000 lbs (920 kg).

Phoenix PT is powered by a 1,500 W fuel cell plus a battery pack, with hydrogen being kept in a cryogenic tank and warmed to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) through a complex tubing system. The final version, however, will be powered by liquid hydrogen. Equipped with an electric motor and powered by 1 liter (0.2 gallons) of hydrogen, Phoenix will be able to fly for seven hours or cover 500 km (311 miles), which are remarkable endurance and range values - autoevolution - link - Otilia Dragan - link - more like this - link

(TNN) HEATHROW BACKS SAF TRANSITION

A British Airways plane takes off from Heathrow in London. The airport wants policymakers to put in measures to scale up the production of sustainable aviation fuels. Photo: Reuters

Heathrow Airport urged the British government to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) before the Cop26 environmental summit, as passenger numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

The UK’s busiest airport called on policymakers “to show leadership” and scale up the production of SAFs by putting in measures such as a progressively increasing mandate, a price support mechanism and loan guarantees.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said on Monday that the aim should be “for 2019 to have been the peak year for fossil fuel use in global aviation”.

“The UK government can show real leadership in decarbonising aviation at Cop26, by setting a progressively increasing mandate and a plan to use contracts for difference to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuel in the UK, which will protect the benefits of flying for future generations,” Mr Holland-Kaye said.

Heathrow’s call for action came after global airlines adopted an International Air Transport Association resolution to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The target will cost nearly $2 trillion by 2050 and will require "very significant financial investment", Willie Walsh, director general of Iata said earlier this month.

Heathrow said it was “delighted” by Iata’s decarbonisation commitment, which it considers a key milestone to securing a global agreement at the International Civil Aviation Organisation Assembly in September next year - The National News - link - Alice Haine - link - more like this - link