Royal Society report on novel aviation fuels – no option…
The UK government has been promoting the idea of “guilt-free flying” in a few years time. Now a report from the Royal Society says (as has been well known by anyone who properly investigated the issue!) that there is currently no single, clear alternative to traditional fuel. Switching to so-called “sustainable” fuel is key to the government’s aim to reach “jet zero” flying by 2050. Realistically, there will be no significant impact on reducing aviation CO2 from electric planes, or hydrogen. Small economies and efficiencies by airlines can only make a small dent, while demand for flights is expected to increase. The Royal Society looked at options for “greener” fuels to replace the 12.3m tonnes of jet fuel used annually in the UK. They conclude that to produce biofuels for UK aviation would require half of Britain’s farming land, putting severe pressure on food supplies and nature. There is not enough genuinely low carbon electricity to produce much “green” hydrogen. The Royal Society says research and development is required to understand and mitigate the non-CO2 climate impacts of all the alternative fuel options. But it stops short of the obvious solution to reducing aviation carbon emissions – reducing the demand for air travel, and not allowing it to grow. .Tweet Royal Society report (80 pages) is at https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/net-zero-aviation/net-zero-aviation-fuels-policy-briefing.pdf Net zero aviation fuels: resource requirements and environmental impacts https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/net-zero-aviation-fuels/ Aviation is a contributor to global warming, including through the emissions of carbon dioxide and the formation of contrails high up in the atmosphere. Globally, save for the few years of the pandemic, air travel is expected to continue to grow in the future, increasing the impact on climate change unless a close to net zero form of flying can be developed or any residual emissions offset by removals. If low carbon emission jet fuels are to have a strong positive impact on the UK’s Road to Net zero, it is important that the alternative fuels adopted are truly beneficial to the fight against the climate crisis and do not cause unacceptable collateral ecological damage. What are the options for net zero aviation fuels? The report looks at four alternative fuels: hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic fuels (efuels) and biofuels, and examines each option against: Equivalent resources that would be required for that option to replace fossil jet fuel, Life cycle analysis and non-CO2 environmental impacts, Likely costs, Modification or replacements needed to implement the option. It is evident that all alternative fuel options have advantages and challenges and there is no single simple answer to decarbonising aviation. Main conclusions from the net zero aviation report Availability and accessibility of sustainable feedstock for all options is a key challenge. Further R&D will be needed in the development of the efficient production, storage and use of green hydrogen, ammonia and efuels. Further development of LCAs of all alternative aviation fuels is required which will be critical in clarifying emissions across the entire cycle and highlighting key mitigation opportunities. R&D is required to understand and mitigate the non-CO2 climate impacts of all the alternative fuel options. A holistic approach with regards to alternative fuel and engine and airframe development will be needed. Considerations will have to be made on handling multiple technologies both in the airport and aircraft. Staff and crew will need specialised training on handling alternative fuels, and the public will need to be informed about the relevant safety concerns within the airport and aircraft. Watch as Professor Graham Hutchings FRS, Chair of the Working Group, introduces the report. https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/net-zero-aviation-fuels/ . Royal Society report https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/net-zero-aviation/net-zero-aviation-fuels-policy-briefing.pdf Green flights not in easy reach, warn scientists 28.2.2023 By Georgina Rannard, Climate and science reporter (BBC) You may be hoping that guilt-free flying is just around the corner, but scientists warn it is still a long way off. Plans for climate-friendly flying rest on creating greener jet fuels that have less impact on the environment. Switching to sustainable fuel is also key to the government’s aim to reach “jet zero” flying by 2050. But the Royal Society concludes there is currently no single, clear alternative to traditional fuel. Flying is responsible for 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of UK emissions. These gases warm the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change. Demand for flights is expected to increase, and governments and the aviation industry are experimenting with ways to reduce the climate impacts of traditional kerosene fuel. The authors of the Royal Society report looked at four options for greener fuels to replace the 12.3m tonnes of jet fuel used annually in the UK. It concluded that none could replace fossil jet fuel in the short term. Some airlines now use very small amounts of biofuel, largely made from crops. London Heathrow
