ALGAE TO KEROSENE: THE GREEN WAKE Matteo Prussi, Nicolae Scarlat, JRC, Directorate C - Energy, Transport and Climate Energy Efficiency and Renewables
Among HEFA routes, producing jet fuels from algae looks promising for setting the path towards a more environmental friendly aviation.
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ccording to the evaluation before the COVID pandemic, the international civil aviation was consuming 160 megatons (Mt) of fuel, and emitting approximately the 2.6% of total GHG emissions from fossil
fuel combustion [1]. According to projections, by 2045 the fuel consumption is expected to increase from 2.2 to 3.1 times compared to 2015 [2]. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the sector, aviation keeps
considering the environmental impact mitigation as a pillar for its development. Some initiatives are already in place, at international level, such as the global CO2 standards regulating the fuel efficiency for new aircrafts from 2020 [3].
Figure 1 - Green energy aircraft, an EADS Diamond DA42, powered by algae biofuel on the runway. Farnborough Airshow, Hampshire, UK. July 24, 2010. @shutterstock/Steve Mann.
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