An assessment of the potential of alternative fuels for "greening" commercial air transportation

Abstract

This paper deals with an assessment of the potential of conventional (oil-kerosene) Jet-A1/8 and alternative synthetic & biomass-derived SPK (Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene) and LH₂ (Liquid Hydrogen) fuels for "greening" commercial air transportation through reducing its fuel consumption and related direct emissions of GHG (Green House Gases) in the medium- and long-term period of time. For such a purpose, the convenient analytical models for estimating this fuel consumption and corresponding direct emissions of GHG have been developed and applied according to "what-if" scenario approach. The results have shown that: i) Introducing the alternative SPK (F-T&HRJ) fuels fully (i.e., 100% replacement of Jet-A1/8 fuel) would bring only a marginal reduction of the cumulative direct emissions of CO₂. Such reduction would not substantially contribute to achieving the globally agreed targets on reducing GHG emissions; and ii) Introducing the alternative LH₂ fuel would almost immediately bring rather substantive reduction of the cumulative emissions of CO₂. If such introduction started earlier, it would contribute to achieving the globally agreed targets on reducing emissions of GHG during given period.