Decarbon Debrief: Sustainable Fuels Coming to an Airport Near You
Airlines, logistics, and airports create pull for renewable fuel market expansion
🚨 The Lead
The top story of the week.
United Airlines announced last week that they will begin using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at San Francisco International Airport and London Heathrow Airport putting the airline on pace to use 10 million gallons of SAF in 2023, nearly 10 times what the airline used in 2019.
United along with other global airlines have established 2030 targets of 10% SAF usage that aligns with World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative.
Even though the IEA rates the Aviation sector not on track, many airlines and renewable fuel project developers are taking action to increase demand and supply of SAF and renewable fuels.
United was the first airline to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In addition to the Eco-Skies Alliance Program, United also established a venture fund – United Airlines Ventures – to identify and invest in companies and technologies that can decarbonize air travel and from this, recently created the UAV Sustainable Flight FundSM
In 2022, S&P Global mapped the renewable fuel plants across North America. With the help of the Inflation Reduction Act, more facilities are anticipated to meet demand.
Source: S&P Global
Todd’s Take:
Most decarbonization pathways are challenged due to market demand. With global airlines adopting the target of 10% SAF by 2030, airlines and logistics will provide the market demand that is required to increase facility production. Additionally, low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and other clean fuel regulation enable market adoption.
As market demand moves from paper agreements to consumption of fuel, SAF and renewable diesel plants must be ready to deliver. SAF producers must balance risks across the value chain in order to be successful.
A few key points to consider:
Secure feedstock agreements. Feedstock availability and costs will be local issues for each facility. Is your plant nearby feedstock sources? How does the cost of rail transportation factor into the feedstock agreements?
Partner with airlines, logistics, and airports. Long-term partnerships will help producers reach production goals that correspond with customer consumption and blending targets. How will regional airports encourage SAF adoption?
Become low-carbon leaders. Carbon intensity scores will be key for the renewable fuels sector as existing producers and project developers seek financing. Measuring carbon intensity from feedstock source to final delivery will allow producers
✨ This Week in Decarbonization
Highlights from the week’s most popular stories in industrial decarbonization.
💡 Top 5 Takeaways from CCUS 2023
💸 Nacero Inc. Invited to Submit Part II Application to the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office for Texas SAF Facility
✈️ United to Triple SAF Use in 2023, Adds SAF on Flights at San Francisco Airport
🛩 Twelve and Emerging Fuels Technology Sign Master License Agreement to Scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
♻️ Infinium Manufactures Ton of CO2 Conversion Catalyst for Electrofuels Projects
✨ Cummins and Accelera Showcase Broadest Portfolio of Decarbonizing Technologies With an Emphasis on Hydrogen
❇️ Bloom Energy Demonstrates Hydrogen Production with the World’s Largest and Most Efficient Solid Oxide Electrolyzer
☁️ Carbon TerraVault Announces Two New Storage-Only Carbon Dioxide Management Agreements and Submission of Another Class VI Permit to the EPA
☁️ Capture This CO2
A single carbon capture or hydrogen project in industrial decarbonization.
Superior Biorefinery CCS project
🏭 Operator: Summit Carbon Solutions / Green Plains
📌 Location: Midwest
⛽ Industry: Ethanol Production
🦺 Project Status: Advanced Development
🌱 Project Type: Commercial
Summit Carbon Solutions and Green Plains have partnered to develop infrastructure to capture and transport store up to 172,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum from the Green Plains Superior biorefinery plant. The partnership lays the groundwork for a CO2 network connecting dozens of biofuel producers to a large-scale carbon capture and sequestration system in North Dakota. Summit’s CO2 pipeline is capable of carrying over 10 million tons of compressed CO2 annually to the geologic storage location in North Dakota.
🌍 Elsewhere
Highlights from research, data, or media partners covering the Energy Transition.
Wind, solar, hydro, natural gas, and coal are the common sources of power generation. But what if we could access 100% clean renewable power, all the time.
🔥 Enter Geothermal 🔥
Geothermal ventures and partnerships are evaluating pilots across the World. In the United States, geologic conditions exist west of the Rockies, especially in Nevada.
That's it for this week. If you'd like to dive into the data a little more with me, hit reply.