Powering the Future of Aviation: Exploring the Role of Hydrogen and Power-to- Liquid in Sustainable Aviation Fuels

The decarbonization of long-distance transportation, especially in aviation, is a significant challenge. While progress has been made in decarbonizing urban transportation, achieving electrification in long-distance transport remains difficult. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) offer a promising solution for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the aviation industry. SAFs, which can be derived from organic materials or produced synthetically from CO2 and hydrogen, have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% (Airbus 2023). The aviation industry aims to produce enough SAFs to meet aviation fuel demand by 2050, with power-to-liquid (PtL) technology emerging as an alternative pathway for SAF production. This paper provides insights into the application and deployment of this technology. The ideal PtL process involves the utilization of renewable electricity, hydrogen sourced from renewables, and captured carbon to produce synthetic fuels. The estimated demand for hydrogen in PtL-based SAF production varies depending on the scenario, ranging from approximately 94.3 million to 224.5 million metric tons by 2050. Hydrogen plays a critical role in enabling large-scale SAF production and achieving decarbonization goals in the aviation industry. Continued investments in renewable energy (RE) and technological advancements are necessary to unlock the full potential of PtL and hydrogen in SAF production.

30th November 2023