As the global push for sustainability continues, scientists and industry leaders are seeking solutions to make aviation more sustainable by 2050. One of the key challenges in achieving this goal is identifying a viable sustainable fuel for aircraft. Phil Ansell, an aerospace engineer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, conducted an extensive review of over 300 research projects from various sectors to assess the options available for sustainable aviation.
Ansell found that several energy carriers emerged as potential alternatives to conventional fossil-derived aviation turbine fuel. These included bio jet fuel pathways for synthetic kerosene, power-to-liquid pathways for synthetic kerosene, liquid hydrogen, ammonia, liquid natural gas, ethanol, methanol, and battery electric systems. Ansell compared these options based on factors such as their impact on aircraft performance, emissions, cost and scalability, resource and land requirements, and social impacts.
According to Ansell, achieving sustainability in aviation requires considering the environmental, economic, and societal contributions of each energy carrier. While there is a perception that only one fuel source can be chosen due to production and infrastructure costs, Ansell believes that multiple options can be utilized simultaneously. For example, hydrogen can be used to produce synthetic aviation fuels through the power-to-liquid pathway, or biomass can be used to produce hydrogen.
Ansell acknowledged that his research focused on the challenges and requirements for sustainable energy in aviation, even though it diverged from his usual studies in aircraft design and aerodynamics. He emphasized the importance of considering the impact of biofuels on crop stress and acknowledged the complexity of assessing land use changes associated with different energy carriers.
In terms of battery/electric systems, Ansell stated that he found them impractical for aviation due to the weight and volume requirements of batteries. Instead, he expressed confidence in hydrogen as a potential solution, citing past successful experiments with liquid hydrogen in commercial aircraft like the Tupolev 155 in the 1980s.
Regarding biofuels, Ansell explored various options for producing biofuel from different sources, such as municipal waste, seaweed, and algae. However, he highlighted the challenge of using biofuels derived from food crops, as it compromises their use for feeding people or animals.
Ansell emphasized the need for collaboration between scientists and the aviation community to address these challenges and recognize the magnitude of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. He urged society to prioritize long-term sustainability and invest in solutions for aviation sustainability, as the consequences of inaction will become increasingly severe.
Ansell also highlighted the need for tailored strategies and approaches based on the resources and strengths of each country. For instance, the United States, with its large agricultural sector, could focus on developing feedstocks for bio-jet fuels or hydrogen production. In contrast, Europe’s strong clean energy infrastructure makes it well-suited for electrolytic hydrogen production.
In conclusion, finding sustainable energy options for aviation requires a comprehensive assessment of various energy carriers. While challenges exist, Ansell believes that a combination of different fuels and strategies can lead to a sustainable future for aviation. Collaboration and foresight are crucial in ensuring long-term sustainability and avoiding potential regrets for missed opportunities in addressing aviation’s sustainability challenges.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
