Christopher Surgenor’s Post

A high-profile European coalition has joined forces to urgently advance the production of e-SAF – sustainable aviation fuels produced by combining renewable electricity, water and captured carbon dioxide. Project SkyPower brings together 13 CEOs and more than 50 companies including airlines, airports, energy companies and financiers to push for government policies that enable production of e-SAF from 2030, writes Tony Harrington for GreenAir News. A report by the new group says Europe has a strong opportunity to capture a big share of the global e-SAF market, which it estimates could be worth €250 billion ($270bn) by 2050 and create up to 90,000 direct jobs. But it argues that to do so will require investments between €15 billion and €25 billion by 2030, encouraged by supportive government policies. Globally, says the report, Europe has 26 of the 31 large-scale e-SAF projects currently proposed. “But while 70% of the global e-SAF project pipeline is located in Europe,” it adds, “no plant has yet reached final investment decision (FID).” We will be discussing e-SAF and Project SkyPower at our forthcoming Aviation Carbon 2024 conference in London, November 25/26 (Aviation Carbon Events) #sustainableaviation #sustainableaviationfuel #eSAF #eFuels #ProjectSkyPower https://lnkd.in/ei5MrbvM

A SOLUTION PULLED OUT OF THE AIR As the airline industry intensifies its efforts to decarbonise amidst increasing concerns and open doubts about its ability to meet emission reduction targets, a collective of major European players is banking on a solution literally plucked out of the air - captured CO2 converted to sustainable aviation fuel, or e-SAF. With growing demand and competition for scarce biomass feedstocks, CO2 is abundant and there for the taking, though converting it into clean fuel is also eye-wateringly expensive. The partners of Project SkyPower are convinced that, in time, after initial big investments backed by government subsidies, this will be an affordable and effective pathway to lower emissions. But they also say final investment decisions for e-SAF projects must be made by the end of 2025 if targets for lower emissions are to be met. #sustainableaviation #sustainableaviationfuel #decarbonisation #eSAF #ProjectSkyPower #airfranceklm #easyJet #arcadiaefuels #copenhagenairports #skyNRG #velocys #ING #Natixis #Rockton #KGAL #Victor #ReFuelEU #netzeroaviation #netzero2050 #greenairnews

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has signed an agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to boost financing opportunities for sustainable aviation fuels and other cleaner aviation energy projects, reports Christopher Surgenor for GreenAir News. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed at the recent #G20 Energy Ministerial meeting in Brazil and will allow the exploration of pathways to operationalise the ICAO Finvest Hub by facilitating the identification of financial resources for scaling up SAF, lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) and other cleaner energy solutions. ICAO estimates that around $3.2 trillion in investments will be needed for cleaner aviation fuel production alone if its long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net zero emissions from international aviation by 2050 is to be achieved. ICAO is an active participant at the #COP29 climate meeting, which starts today in Baku, with the UN agency’s Council President addressing a side event. #sustainableaviation #sustainableaviationfuel https://lnkd.in/ekZc3fgz

French global airport operator Groupe ADP has invested $20 million in US-based LanzaJet, an emerging international producer of sustainable aviation fuel, reports Tony Harrington for GreenAir News. The investment was made by ADP International, a subsidiary of the group, as part of a strategy to transform its airports into energy hubs able to provide electricity, SAF and low-carbon hydrogen. The investment follows LanzaJet’s recent activation of the Freedom Pines facility in Soperton, Georgia, the world’s first ethanol-to-fuel plant, capable of both SAF and renewable diesel production. Groupe ADP is the third company to invest in LanzaJet this year, after the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund and the world’s biggest low-cost airline, Texas-based Southwest Airlines. LanzaJet has global expansion ambitions, with plans to develop plants elsewhere in America, as well as in Europe and Asia. It is also a partner in a new SAF project planned for Queensland, Australia. #sustainableaviation #sustainableaviationfuel #sustainableairports Mark Pilling Jimmy Samartzis Stephane Thion Augustin de Romanet Justine Leger Jérôme Landras Meg Whitty Mohamed El Akroute Brandon Middaugh Alex Menotti Jennifer Holmgren Richard Marsh https://lnkd.in/esnh_5GU

The ambitious Green Fuels Hamburg project, initially set to produce 10,000 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2026, has been terminated, according to the Hamburg Senate. The consortium behind the project, which included Uniper, Siemens Energy, Airbus, and Sasol EcoFT, announced it would no longer pursue the initiative. Launched in 2022, the project aimed to establish a SAF production plant in Hamburg’s industrial regions of Billbrook and Rothenburgsort, with support from Hamburg University of Technology, the city’s senate, and Hamburg Airport. Emirates had also expressed interest in sourcing PtL-SAF from this venture. The reasons for the project's cancellation have not been disclosed. However, Senate members are concerned about meeting SAF demand as the EU Refuel regulations come into effect on January 1, 2025. Stephan Jersch, environmental policy spokesperson, highlighted the potential shortfall, noting that Hamburg Airport will require approximately 7,000 tonnes of SAF in 2025, with current supply options still undetermined. Read the full article on our blog. #AvfoilNews #SustainableAviationFuel #SAF #GreenFuels #Hamburg #Uniper #SiemensEnergy #Airbus #SasolEcoFT #Emirates #EURefuel #Aviation #EnergyTransition #Sustainability

Can #Europe Lead #Aviation’s Green #Revolution? Aviation contributes 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, making decarbonization critical. Project SkyPower seeks to transform #aviation #fuel by scaling synthetic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF), offering up to 90% lifecycle emissions reduction using renewable energy and carbon capture. Supported by airlines like Air France-KLM and easyJet, fuel innovators such as Velocys, Arcadia eFuels and SkyNRG, and financiers like ING and Natixis Investment Managers, the project aims to meet the EU's 70% #SAF target by 2050. #ProjectSkyPower #Aviation #SAF, BOSS Energy Consulting #OneHireAtTheTime

Australian infrastructure, property development and investment management company Wagner Corporation has joined with Boeing to grow the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry to help meet Australia’s airline demand for jet fuel. With demand set to grow 75 percent over the next 25 years Wagner, which owns the Wellcamp Business Park and Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (WTB) in Queensland, has established Wagner Sustainable Fuels to advance the project. Boeing Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific sustainability lead Dr Kimberly Camrass aid: “Wagner’s sustainability goals align with Boeing’s work to advance aviation decarbonisation and energy security through renewable energy including SAF, advanced technologies, operational efficiency, and fleet renewal." The CEO of Wagner Sustainable Fuels Matthew Doyle said: “The Wellcamp blending facility will demonstrate the greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits of SAF for our customers, provide a focus for federal and state policy makers and introduce the supply chain to this potential $3 billion per year industry." #manufacturing #australianmanufacturing #renewables #sustainableaviationfuel #aviation #SAF

Jet Zero Australia has secured a significant Aus$29 million investment for renewable fuel production in Queensland, Australia, marking a major milestone in the push for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Notable investors in this initiative include Airbus, Qantas, and Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd, with Idemitsu's investment representing its first venture into SAF outside Japan. The investment will propel the engineering activities of Project Ulysses, a key Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) production facility in North Queensland, and other renewable fuel projects. Airbus's Stephen Forshaw expressed confidence in Jet Zero's approach, emphasizing the need for increased SAF production in Australia. Qantas's Chief Sustainability Officer, Andrew Parker, reiterated the airline's commitment to the project, highlighting the potential job creation and economic benefits. Hon Grace Grace MP, Queensland's State Development Minister, praised the state's renewable energy advantage and emphasized its commitment to sustainable aviation fuel. Jet Zero Australia's CEO, Ed Mason, underscored the project's importance in decarbonizing the Australian aviation sector and welcomed Idemitsu as a strategic shareholder. Masahiko Sawa from Idemitsu emphasized the significance of this investment for establishing a global SAF supply chain and fostering carbon neutrality. Project Ulysses, backed by grants from the Queensland Government, aims to produce substantial quantities of SAF and renewable diesel, contributing to Australia's fuel security and environmental goals. This investment represents a pivotal step towards a greener future for aviation in Australia. Stay updated on this initiative by reading the full article on our blog. #avfoilnews #sustainableaviationfuel #renewableenergy #aviationindustry #investment #Queensland #Australia

French global airport operator Groupe ADP has invested $20 million in US-based LanzaJet, an emerging international producer of sustainable aviation fuel, reports Tony Harrington for GreenAir News. The investment was made by ADP International, a subsidiary of the group, as part of a strategy to transform its airports into energy hubs able to provide electricity, SAF and low-carbon hydrogen. The investment follows LanzaJet’s recent activation of the Freedom Pines facility in Soperton, Georgia, the world’s first ethanol-to-fuel plant, capable of both SAF and renewable diesel production. Groupe ADP is the third company to invest in LanzaJet this year, after the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund and the world’s biggest low-cost airline, Texas-based Southwest Airlines. LanzaJet has global expansion ambitions, with plans to develop plants elsewhere in America, as well as in Europe and Asia. It is also a partner in a new SAF project planned for Queensland, Australia. #sustainableaviation #sustainableaviationfuel #sustainableairports https://lnkd.in/etsuuYWE

I am appalled at the UK government's approach to switching to renewable energy and aviation. It has set up the Jet Zero Taskforce to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation. The original press release [1] states the following: “The diverse membership has been specifically chosen to represent all corners of the industry”, which includes not only airports and airlines, but also fuel producers and fuel logistics. If you want to protect banks from robberies, would you invite bank robbers and share the decision-making power with them? Would you then be surprised that the vaults will be locked only with a small three-digit combination lock? Let's listen more closely to what they say in their press release [1]: “…the taskforce will support the production and delivery of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and zero emission flights”: zero-emission flights with 22% biofuel? That doesn't work, so they write: “Today’s launch comes as the department invests up to £450,000 to support aviation decarbonisation measures in other countries, such as helping developing states [...] financing for sustainable aviation fuel, as well as to offset carbon emissions from international flights." In other words, this tiny sum seems enough to persuade elites in developing countries to offset the carbon emissions from the planes flying in from the UK. They are supposed to clean up our emissions. And the developing countries have ‘access to financing’, i.e. borrow money from London's financial world. This is called post-colonial thinking. But now comes their solution: “It will also explore the sector’s demand for greenhouse gas removals”, just explore it, because carbon sequestering doesn't work yet and we won't be able to scale it up sufficiently for a long time yet. I cannot find a word about electric flying, not even about hydrogen! (which would reduce CO2, but would still damage the atmosphere). Dear me. So, let’s be pragmatic and look at electric flying. If electric planes have a travel range of 1000 miles, they can reach a very large part of the world's population with stopovers, see my calculations, based on [2], in the image below. Electric air travel would only be difficult for  islands like New Zealand, Hawaii and five other remote island groups. The atmosphere wouldn’t care if we keep flying to such island still fuelled by kerosene. Calculations by aviation experts show [3] that, with today's aircraft construction, batteries would need an energy density of around 1600 Wh/kg [4]. This can be reduced further with better design, less cargo, and slightly lower speeds. However, the batteries still need to make significant progress. The current status in the lab is around 700 Wh/kg [5]. And aircrafts need to be optimised differently, and we are not there yet [6]. The UK government should initiate a task force for an industrial policy for electric aircraft, together with some other countries where aircraft are manufactured - by a few companies.  References in the comments