Skip to content
1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Johnson Matthey Technology Review
  4. Volume 64, Issue 3
  5. Article
Volume 64, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 2056-5135
file format pdf download PDF

Abstract

Aviation fuel demand is expected to continue to grow over the next decades and continue to rely heavily on kerosene fuel for use in jet engines. While efficiency and operational improvements are possible ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decarbonisation will need to heavily rely on low carbon kerosene drop-in alternatives. Currently, alternative fuels make up a very small share of fuel used in aviation, but their commercialisation is making good progress. Hydrogen offers a longer-term alternative fuel option but requires aircraft design and fuelling infrastructure changes. Electrification is emerging as an option for providing propulsion in aircraft, either in pure form in small aircraft or in hybrid mode in larger aircraft. This paper reviews the status, challenges and prospects of alternative fuels and electrification in aviation.

© Johnson Matthey
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1595/205651320X15816756012040
2020-01-01
2024-11-05
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/jmtr/64/3/Bauen_16a_Imp.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1595/205651320X15816756012040&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. G. Hemighaus, T. Boval, C. Bosley, R. Organ, J. Lind, R. Brouette, T. Thompson, J. Lynch, J. Jones, “Alternative Jet Fuels”, Chevron Corporation, Texas, USA, 2006, 16 pp LINK https://www.chevron.com/-/media/chevron/operations/documents/chevron-alternative-jet-fuels.pdf [Google Scholar]
  2. ‘Facts and Figures’, Air Transport Action Group (ATAG): https://www.atag.org/facts-figures.html (Accessed on 9th April 2020)
  3. D. S. Lee, D. W. Fahey, P. M. Forster, P. J. Newton, R. C. N. Wit, L. L. Lim, B. Owen, R. Sausen, Atmos. Environ., 2009, 43, (22–23), 3520 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.04.024 [Google Scholar]
  4. J. Teter, P. Le Feuvre, M. Gorner, S. Scheffer, ‘Aviation’, in “Tracking Transport”, International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris, France, May, 2019 LINK https://www.iea.org/tcep/transport/aviation/ [Google Scholar]
  5. ‘IATA Forecast Predicts 8.2 Billion Air Travelers in 2037’, Press Release No. 62, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Montreal, Canada, 24th October, 2018 LINK https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2018-10-24-02.aspx [Google Scholar]
  6. ‘Fact Sheet: CORSIA’, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Montreal, Canada, 1st September, 2019 LINK https://www.iata.org/contentassets/fb745460050c48089597a3ef1b9fe7a8/corsia-fact-sheet.pdf [Google Scholar]
  7. G. Nelson, ‘Contribution of the Global Aviation Sector to Achieving Paris Agreement Climate Objectives’, Climate Action Network (CAN), Bonn, Germany, 2nd April, 2018 LINK http://www.climatenetwork.org/publication/joint-can-icsa-submission-talanoa-dialogue-aviation-april-2018 [Google Scholar]
  8. “Sustainable Aviation CO2 Road-Map”, Sustainable Aviation, UK, December, 2016, 83 pp LINK https://www.sustainableaviation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FINAL__SA_Roadmap_2016.pdf [Google Scholar]
  9. ‘CARB Amends Low Carbon Fuel Standard for Wider Impact’, California Air Resources Board (CARB), California, USA, 27th September, 2018 LINK https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/carb-amends-low-carbon-fuel-standard-wider-impact [Google Scholar]
  10. “RTFO Guidance Part One: Process Guidance 2019: 01/01/19 to 31/12/19”, Department for Transport, London, UK, May, 2019, 73 pp LINK https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/803811/rtfo-guidance-part-1-process-guidance-year-2019.pdf [Google Scholar]
  11. O. Meijerink, “The Voluntary RED Opt-in for Aviation Biofuels: Identifying Opportunities within the 28 EU Member States”, SkyNRG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2019, 101 pp LINK https://skynrg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Publications-The-voluntary-RED-opt-in-for-aviation-biofuels.pdf [Google Scholar]
  12. ‘Proposal for Sweden to Follow Norway’s Lead and Mandate Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels from 2021’, GreenAir Online, London, UK, 7th March, 2019 LINK https://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=2574 [Google Scholar]
  13. ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)’, International Air Transport Association (IATA): https://www.iata.org/en/programs/environment/sustainable-aviation-fuels/ (Accessed on 20th April 2020)
  14. ‘Fuel Qualification’, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI): http://www.caafi.org/focus_areas/fuel_qualification.html (Accessed on 12th September 2019)
  15. F. Yin, A. Gangoli Rao, A. Bhat, M. Chen, Aerosp. Sci. Technol., 2018, 77, 217 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2018.03.005 [Google Scholar]
  16. N. Pavlenko, S. Searle, A. Christensen, “The Cost of Supporting Alternative Jet Fuels in the European Union”, International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Washington DC, USA, 2019, 20 pp LINK https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/Alternative_jet_fuels_cost_EU_20190320.pdf [Google Scholar]
  17. S. de Jong, K. Antonissen, R. Hoefnagels, L. Lonza, M. Wang, A. Faaij, M. Junginger, Biotechnol. Biofuels, 2017, 10, 64 LINK https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-017-0739-7 [Google Scholar]
  18. H. Valin, D. Peters, M. van den Berg, S. Frank, P. Havlik, N. Forsell, C. Hamelinck, “The Land Use Change Impact of Biofuels Consumed in the EU”, Ecofys BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 27th August, 2015, 261 pp LINK https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/Final%20Report_GLOBIOM_publication.pdf [Google Scholar]
  19. S. de Jong, R. Hoefnagels, A. Faaij, R. Slade, R. Mawhood, M. Junginger, Biofuels Bioprod. Biorefining, 2015, 9, (6), 778 LINK https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1613 [Google Scholar]
  20. “Innovation Outlook: Advanced Liquid Biofuels”, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, October, 2016, 132 pp LINK https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Oct/Innovation-Outlook-Advanced-Liquid-Biofuels [Google Scholar]
  21. ‘Horizon 2020 Energy and Transport: Compendium of Projects Implemented by INEA’, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium, November, 2017 LINK https://ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/h2020-compendium_2017_web.pdf [Google Scholar]
  22. “Biofuels for Aviation: Technology Brief”, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January, 2017, 52 pp LINK https://www.irena.org/documentdownloads/publications/irena_biofuels_for_aviation_2017.pdf [Google Scholar]
  23. ‘Biomass to Fuels: IH2 Commercial Process Optimisation’, Shell: https://www.shell.com/business-customers/catalysts-technologies/licensed-technologies/benefits-of-biofuels/ih2-technology/process-optimisation.html (Accessed on 20th October 2019) [Google Scholar]
  24. A. V. Kirilin, ‘Aqueous-Phase Reforming of Renewables for Selective Hydrogen Production in the Presence of Supported Platinum Catalysts’, PhD Thesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland, 2013 LINK https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/93807/kirilin_alexey.pdf?sequence=2 [Google Scholar]
  25. “Advanced Drop-in Biofuels: UK Production Capacity Outlook to 2030”, Department for Transport, London, UK, 24th October, 2017, 91 pp LINK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advanced-drop-in-biofuels-uk-production-capacity-outlook-to-2030 [Google Scholar]
  26. ‘BP Partners with Virent and Johnson Matthey on Virent’s Bioforming® Process for Production of Bio-paraxylene’, Virent Inc, Wisconsin, USA, 4th March, 2019 LINK https://www.virent.com/news/bp-partners-with-virent-and-johnson-matthey/ [Google Scholar]
  27. ‘Facilities’, Licella Holdings: https://www.licella.com.au/facilities/ (Accessed on 2nd October 2019)
  28. ‘Scenarios for Integration of Bio-Liquids in Existing REFINERY Processes’European Commission, Brussels, Belgium, 1st May, 2017 LINK https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/209939/factsheet/en [Google Scholar]
  29. J. Hoffmann, C. U. Jensen, L. A. Rosendahl, Fuel, 2016, 165, 526 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.10.094 [Google Scholar]
  30. O. Schmidt, A. Gambhir, I. Staffell, A. Hawkes, J. Nelson, S. Few, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42, (52), 30470 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.10.045 [Google Scholar]
  31. P. Schmidt, W. Weindorf, A. Roth, V. Batteiger, F. Riegel, “Power-to-Liquids: Potentials and Perspectives for the Future Supply of Renewable Aviation Fuel”,German Environment Agency, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany, September, 2016, 36 pp LINK http://www.lbst.de/news/2016_docs/161005_uba_hintergrund_ptl_barrierrefrei.pdf [Google Scholar]
  32. C. Malins, “What Role is There for Electrofuel Technologies in European Transport’s Low Carbon Future?”, Cerulogy, London, UK, 2017, 86 pp LINK https://www.transportenvironment.org/sites/te/files/publications/2017_11_Cerulogy_study_What_role_electrofuels_final_0.pdf [Google Scholar]
  33. ‘Data and Statistics’, International Energy Agency (IEA):,https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tables?country=WORLD&energy=Oil&year=2015 (Accessed on 20th April 2020)
  34. P. Le Feuvre, ‘Are Aviation Biofuels Ready For Take Off?’, International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris, France, 18th March, 2019 LINK https://www.iea.org/newsroom/news/2019/march/are-aviation-biofuels-ready-for-take-off.html [Google Scholar]
  35. ‘Advanced Biofuels Database’,E4tech Ltd, UK, December 2019 [Google Scholar]
  36. ‘Sierra Biofuels Plant Bright Future’, Fulcrum Bioenergy Inc:,http://fulcrum-bioenergy.com/facilities/ (Accessed on 21st September 2019)
  37. ‘UK Government Grant to Develop World First Waste Carbon to Jet Fuel Project’,LanzaTech, Illinois, USA, 4th July, 2018 LINK https://www.lanzatech.com/2018/07/04/lanzatech-virgin-atlantic-secure-uk-government-grant-develop-world-first-waste-carbon-jet-fuel-project-uk/ [Google Scholar]
  38. M. Mace, ‘British Airways and Shell Back Plans for UK Sustainable Jet Fuel Plant’,Edie, East Grinstead, UK, 17th July, 2019 LINK https://www.edie.net/news/8/British-Airways-and-Shell-back-plans-for-UK-sustainable-jet-fuel-plant/ [Google Scholar]
  39. G. Toop, S. Alberici, M. Spoettle, H. van Steen, U. Weddige, “Trends in the UCO Market”,Ecofys, London, UK, 7th March, 2014, 31 pp LINK https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307119/trends-uco-market.pdf [Google Scholar]
  40. ‘Population, Total’, The World Bank:,https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/sp.pop.totl (Accessed on 3rd October 2019)
  41. ‘UK and Global Bioenergy Resource Model’,Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, London, UK, 8th March, 2017 LINK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-and-global-bioenergy-resource-model [Google Scholar]
  42. J. S. Gregg, S. J. Smith, Mitig. Adapt. Strateg. Glob. Change, 2010, 15, (3), 241 LINK https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-010-9215-4 [Google Scholar]
  43. “OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2019-2028”, OECD Publishing, Paris, France, 2019, 326 pp LINK https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/agriculture-and-food/oecd-fao-agricultural-outlook-2019-2028_agr_outlook-2019-en [Google Scholar]
  44. ‘Global Energy Resources Database’, Shell:,https://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/the-energy-future/scenarios/shell-scenarios-energy-models/energy-resource-database.html#iframe=L3dlYmFwcHMvRW5lcmd5UmVzb3VyY2VEYXRhYmFzZS8jb3Blbk1vZGFs (Accessed on 15th April 2020)
  45. “Energy Technology Perspectives 2017: Catalysing Energy Technology Transformations”, International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris, France, 6th June, 2017, 443 pp LINK https://webstore.iea.org/energy-technology-perspectives-2017 [Google Scholar]
  46. ‘Germany Unveils Plan for Climate-Friendly Aviation’,Deutsche Welle, Bonn, Germany, 21st August, 2019 LINK https://www.dw.com/en/germany-unveils-plan-for-climate-friendly-aviation/a-50119049 [Google Scholar]
  47. A. Baroutaji, T. Wilberforce, M. Ramadan, A. G. Olabi, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 2019, 106, 31 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.02.022 [Google Scholar]
  48. ‘Liquid Hydrogen Fuelled Aircraft – System Analysis’, Final Technical Report, Airbus Deutschland GmbH, Germany, 24th September, 2003 LINK https://www.fzt.haw-hamburg.de/pers/Scholz/dglr/hh/text_2004_02_26_Cryoplane.pdf [Google Scholar]
  49. D. Verstraete, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2013, 38, (34), 14824 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.09.021 [Google Scholar]
  50. D. Verstraete, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2015, 40, (23), 7388 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.04.055 [Google Scholar]
  51. J. Bogaisky, ‘Startups Bet Hydrogen Fuel Cells Are Ready for Takeoff in Aviation’, Forbes Media, New Jersey, USA, 14th August, 2019 LINK https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2019/08/14/zeroavia-alakai-hydrogen-fuel-cell/#4c78d67c18aa [Google Scholar]
  52. ‘Press Release: Hyflyer Zero-Emission Aircraft Flight Tests Set for Orkney’, The European Marine Energy Centre Ltd, Orkney, UK, 18th September, 2019 LINK http://www.emec.org.uk/press-release-hyflyer-zero-emission-aircraft-flight-tests-set-for-orkney/ [Google Scholar]
  53. ‘ZeroAvia Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain for Aviation’, Green Car Congress, 15th August, 2019 LINK https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/08/20190815-zeroavia.html [Google Scholar]
  54. D. L. Larson, ‘NASA Funds Aviation Research on a New Fuel Concept’, Phys.Org, Science X Network, Isle of Man, UK, 13th May, 2019 LINK https://phys.org/news/2019-05-nasa-funds-aviation-fuel-concept.html [Google Scholar]
  55. ‘Delivering the Future’, H2Fly GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany:,http://hy4.org (Accessed on 16th January 2020)
  56. ‘Zero-Emission Air Transport – First Flight of Four-Seat Passenger Aircraft HY4’, H2Fly GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, 29th September, 2016 LINK http://hy4.org/zero-emission-air-transport-first-flight-of-four-seat-passenger-aircraft-hy4 [Google Scholar]
  57. R. Thomson, ‘Electrically Propelled Aircraft Developments Exceed 200 for the First Time’, Roland Berger GmbH, Munich, Germany, 15th January, 2020 LINK https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Point-of-View/Electric-propulsion-is-finally-on-the-map.html [Google Scholar]
  58. ‘Electric, Hybrid, and Hydrogen Aircraft – State of Play’, in “2019 Environmental Report: Aviation and Environment”, Ch. 4, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal, Canada, 2019, pp. 124–130 LINK https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Documents/EnvironmentalReports/2019/ENVReport2019_pg124-130.pdf [Google Scholar]
  59. C. Vaughan, ‘UK Announces £300m Green Transport Fund’,PlaceTech, Manchester, UK, 28th August, 2019 LINK https://placetech.net/news/uk-announces-300m-green-transport-fund/ [Google Scholar]
  60. E-Fan X, Airbus:,https://www.airbus.com/innovation/future-technology/electric-flight/e-fan-x.html (Accessed on 24th September 2019)
  61. G. Norris, ‘Airbus and Rolls-Royce Freeze E-Fan X Hybrid-Electric Demo Design’,Aviation Week Network, New York, USA, 19th June, 2019 LINK https://aviationweek.com/paris-airshow-2019/airbus-and-rolls-royce-freeze-e-fan-x-hybrid-electric-demo-design [Google Scholar]
  62. C. E. Howard, ‘Boeing and NASA Unveil Lightweight, Ultra-Thin, More Aerodynamic Transonic Truss-Braced Wing Concept’,SAE International, Pennsylvania, USA, 11th January, 2019 LINK https://www.sae.org/news/2019/01/boeing-and-nasa-unveil-lightweight-ultra-thin-more-aerodynamic-transonic-truss-braced-wing-concept [Google Scholar]
  63. MAHEPA Project,, Home: https://mahepa.eu/ (Accessed on 16th January 2020)
  64. ‘Norway Aims for All Short-Haul Flights to be 100% Electric by 2040’, The Guardian, London, UK, 18th January, 2018 LINK https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/18/norway-aims-for-all-short-haul-flights-to-be-100-electric-by-2040 [Google Scholar]
  65. P. Dzikiy, ‘Lilium’s New All-Electric Five-Seater Air Taxi Prototype Completes Test Flight’,Electrek, New York, USA, 16th May, 2019 LINK https://electrek.co/2019/05/16/lilium-electric-fiveseater-airtaxi/ [Google Scholar]
  66. A. J. Hawkins, ‘Electric Air Taxi Startup Lilium Completes First Test of its New Five-Seater Aircraft’, The Verge, Vox Media, Washington DC, USA, 16th May, 2019 LINK https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/16/18625088/lilium-jet-test-flight-electric-aircraft-flying-car [Google Scholar]
  67. ‘Flying Taxis Are Taking off to Whisk People around Cities’, The Economist, London, UK, 12th September, 2019 LINK https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/09/12/flying-taxis-are-taking-off-to-whisk-people-around-cities [Google Scholar]
  68. A. J. Hawkins, ‘Uber’s ‘Flying Taxis’ will be Built by These Five Aerospace Companies’, The Verge, Vox Media, Washington DC, USA, 8th May, 2018 LINK https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/8/17331490/uber-flying-taxi-embraer-pipistrel-karem [Google Scholar]
  69. Z. Lovering, ‘Step Inside Alpha Two’, Acubed, California, USA, 20th May, 2019 LINK https://acubed.airbus.com/blog/vahana/step-inside-alpha-two/ [Google Scholar]
  70. J. Bailey, ‘Who Is Alice? – An Introduction to the Bizarre Eviation Electric Aircraft’,Simple Flying, London, UK, 26th June, 2019 LINK https://simpleflying.com/eviation-alice-electric-aircraft/ [Google Scholar]
  71. L. Dray, “Low-Carbon Aviation: How Far Can We Go?”, University College London (UCL) Energy Seminar, London, UK, 2nd April, 2019 LINK https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/energy/events/2019/apr/low-carbon-aviation-how-far-can-we-go-ucl-energy-seminar [Google Scholar]
  72. A. R. Gnadt, R. L. Speth, J. S. Sabnis, S. R. H. Barrett, Prog. Aerosp. Sci., 2019, 105, 1 LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paerosci.2018.11.002 [Google Scholar]
  73. B. Graver, K. Zhang, D. Rutherford, “CO2 Emissions from Commercial Aviation, 2018”, International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Washington DC, USA, 2018, 13 pp LINK https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_CO2-commercl-aviation-2018_20190918.pdf [Google Scholar]
  74. J. Bosch, S. de Jong, R. Hoefnagels, R. Slade, “Aviation Biofuels: Strategically Important, Technically Achievable, Tough to Deliver”, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, UK, 2017, 16 pp LINK https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/grantham-institute/public/publications/briefing-papers/BP-23-Aviation-Biofuels.pdf [Google Scholar]
  75. ‘Cost to Refill’, California Fuel Cell Partnership:,https://cafcp.org/content/cost-refill (Accessed on 27th January 2020)
  76. ‘HY4 – Zero-Emission Passenger Flights’, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 26th November, 2015 LINK https://www.dlr.de/tt/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10743/19267_read-44808/ [Google Scholar]
  77. A. W. Schäfer, S. R. H. Barrett, K. Doyme, L. M. Dray, A. R. Gnadt, R. Self, A. O’Sullivan, A. P. Synodinos, A. J. Torija, Nat. Energy, 2019, 4, 160 LINK https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-018-0294-x [Google Scholar]
  78. ‘Electricity Price Statistics’, Eurostat:,https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Electricity_price_statistics#Electricity_prices_for_non-household_consumers (Accessed on 27th January 2020)
  79. M. K. Bradley, C. K. Droney, “Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research: Phase II – Volume II – Hybrid Electric Design Exploration”, NASA/CR–2015-218704/Volume II, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Washington DC, USA, 2015, 233 pp LINK https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20150017039.pdf [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1595/205651320X15816756012040
Loading
Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Johnson Matthey Technology Review 64, 263 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1595/205651320X15816756012040
/content/journals/10.1595/205651320X15816756012040
/content/journals/10.1595/205651320X15816756012040
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test