News

Making sure the market for sustainable aviation fuel grows

The director of environmental science for Clean Fuels Alliance America says the aviation industry can learn a lot from the current biofuels industry as it ramps up production.

Veronica Bradley says it’s important that it adds to the environmental benefits as it switches away from fossil fuels. “Ensure that the sustainable aviation fuel that is produced reduces greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum fuel by at least 50%,” she says. “They’ve gone even further than just making those goals. But creating a road map that looks at feedstock, innovation, and fuel production innovation.”

Virgin Atlantic just completed its first trans-Atlantic flight using by 100% sustainable aviation fuels. She tells Brownfield that flight highlighted the technical safety of the fuel. “Because right now, safety specifications only allow up to about 50% SAF blended with 50% petroleum jet,” she says. “I think we’ll see more test flights to continue to show that safety so that you can eventually update specifications to allow for the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel.”

Bradley and Clean Fuels chief operating officer Doug Whitehead will moderate a panel on the future of sustainable aviation fuel at the upcoming Clean Fuels Conference in February.