Synthetic jet fuel race set for take-off
Repsol and others see synthetic fuel as the most viable long-term alternative to kerosene, but state support is vital
Aviation faces perhaps the biggest challenge in transitioning away from fossil fuels—but the industry now appears to be coalescing around a synthetic jet fuel solution. The weight and volume of batteries make them unsuitable for aeroplanes of more than approximately six passengers, so a molecule-based solution is essential. Renewable fuels, which can be blended and used in conventional engines, offer the most promise. Bio-kerosene, although more advanced in terms of its development, has limited potential due to the lack of organic feedstock—which anyway has its own environmental problems—and therefore production capacity. Instead, synthetic kerosene is the most viable long-term alternative,
Also in this section
10 May 2024
Launch of project powered by geothermal energy in Iceland marks step forward in push to scale up expensive direct-air-capture technology
8 May 2024
Allowance prices rise 34% since start of year as regulator imposes tighter limits and considers reduction of free allocations
7 May 2024
Policymakers should consider backing enhanced weathering as a CDR technique with benefits to the agricultural sector
3 May 2024
Developers look to government’s forthcoming budget to restore support as industry suffers loss of momentum