More than 30% of the world’s carbon emissions come from transportation. Governments and companies are taking various initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
In fact, we have already seen green alternatives when it comes to land based transportation. Electric vehicles are the best example.
When it comes to air travel, aviation industry is still heavily dependent on the fossil fuel. However things are changing now. In recent years, major players in the aviation industry have experimented with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
SAF has emerged as a green alternative to traditional jet fuel.
Let us learn more about it.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF is produced from sustainable feed stocks and is very similar in composition to traditional jet fuel.
You may be surprised to know that the typical feed stocks used for producing SAF are cooking oil and non palm waste oils from animals and plants and also solid waste from homes and industries.
Other ingredients could be waste wood, crops, plants and algae.
Different companies use different ingredients to produce their SAF. However cooking oil and animal waste is always the main ingredients.
This will give you an idea what SAF is and how it is made.
Difference between SAF and Traditional Jet Fuel Cost
SAF might be good for the environment. But can major airline companies afford SAF? Let us analyze.
To your disappointment SAF is currently more costly than traditional fossil jet fuel. There are two reasons for this
- a) Current availability of sustainable feed stock is in short supply and
- b) New production technologies required for the development of SAF is still in its infancy.
These two factors are responsible for the higher cost.
But as technology evolves the SAF will become cheaper for the customers.
Why Sustainable Aviation Fuel is Needed?
Despite the higher cost why it is important to use SAF. Well! Other than SAF, there isn’t any other viable green option available for transporting people quickly from one place to another.
The aviation industry is dependent on this type of fuel because it has a lot of energy for its weight. Obviously, you can’t use electric motor or solar panel to power a jet engine.
Just to give you an example, a return flight from Mumbai to London has a carbon footprint of nearly 1 ton of CO2 per passenger. And aviation industry is expected to double by 2050.
By using SAF, aviation industry can reduce up to 80% carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel.
So it is very important to use SAF.
First Helicopter Flight Test Powered by SAF
Some of the major players have already tested SAF.
In November 2021, Airbus H225 conducted their first ever helicopter flight with 100% SAF powering both Safran’s Makila 2 Engines.
The test was conducted to learn the impact of SAF on helicopter systems. Airbus is planning to conduct more tests on different helicopters and engine architectures. The company wants the use of 100% SAF by 2030.
All Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopters are certified to fly with up to a 50% blend of SAF.
The SAF will reduce the carbon footprint while maintaining the same flight performance.
First Plane Flight Test Powered by SAF
Similarly Rolls Royce has conducted their first test of 100% SAF for a business jet engine. The first unblended SAF test was done on a Trent 1000 engine in UK.
They also tested on their latest business aviation engine, the Pearl 700.
The company wants to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
In developing countries like India, aviation industry can also make use of SAF to reduce carbon emissions. Aviation fuel service providers can definitely lead the way.
Is SAF Safe to Use by Aviation Industry?
Are you willing to travel in a plane which is 100% SAF powered?
SAF can be blended at up to 50% with traditional fossil jet fuel. The fuel is then certified as Jet A or Jet A-1. It can be used in a same way as traditional jet fuel. No changes are required in fuelling infrastructure.
In fact various airline companies are already using SAF for their planes. So it is 100% safe to use SAF.
What Difference does it Make?
To be honest, SAF production currently accounts for only .1% of total aviation fuel production.
Right now, SAF production is very limited because of higher cost of SAF.
But if government is creating right policies then it can accelerate the production of SAF. Reduced investment risks and greater focus on the research, development and commercialization of production technologies can accelerate the growth of SAF.
This article will give you an idea why SAF is very important for the aviation industry to reduce their carbon emissions by at least 50%.
