PSI and the Swiss start-up Metafuels collaborate to develop the “aerobrew” technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable resources. A pilot plant will be built to demonstrate the aerobrew technology, using methanol produced from sustainably produced hydrogen and sustainably sourced CO2 as input.
SAF are an important pillar in decarbonizing the aviation sector, and the European Union has set mandatory goals for blending SAF with conventional jet fuel until 2050.
In order to be classified as SAF, a jet fuel has to undergo a certification process, proving that life cycle greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced, and that feedstock is sustainably sourced. The Technology Assessment Group develops a detailed LCA model compliant with ISO LCA standards as well as the SAF classification rules to quantify environmental impacts of scaled-up aerobrew SAF production in the future. This includes variabilities in the supply chains (e.g. various hydrogen and CO2 supply chains for the methanol production), fuel handling, and combustion. A focus is laid on the temporal and geographical aspects of the various supply chains: which products should be produced when and where (e.g. hydrogen from electrolysis with renewable electricity), where to store and transport these products, how to optimize the location of processes to profit from each other (e.g. using excess heat from the methanol production for CO2 capture).
Further, supply chain effects are considered when scaling-up so that realistic potential sources of feedstock and energy sources can be identified. This includes for instance infrastructure and regulation for carbon capture (and utilization), logistics, and use of land and water.
The project started in 2024, and operation of the aerobrew pilot plant is planned for early 2025.