Co-location of cellulosic bioethanol and alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) production facilities for targeted scale-up of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
Achieving aerospace industry net-zero emissions by 2050 requires rapid scaling of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Leveraging existing infrastructure, proven technologies like Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), and low carbon intensity feedstocks such as switchgrass and miscanthus can support this transition and help achieve near-term emissions reduction targets.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign evaluated the implications of lignocellulosic ethanol biorefinery siting and integration with petroleum refineries to produce SAF across 1,000 sites randomly sampled from areas suitable for perennial grasses in the U.S. rainfed region.
To better understand the logistics of material transport and handoffs, the team integrated models of biomass harvest, transport, ethanol, and ATJ production in a stochastic framework based on Monte Carlo simulations to characterize SAF minimum selling price (MSP) and carbon intensity (CI), considering site-specific parameters (e.g., feedstock production, transportation, taxes, incentives). The results indicate trade-offs between MSP and CI across locations, with median MSP ranging from 7.9 to 12.8 USD·gal–1 and CI from −9.7 to 39.4 gCO2e·MJ–1.
Despite high estimated decarbonization costs (580 USD·tonCO2e–1), the results show that site-specific deployment of ATJ with low-CI feedstocks can improve sustainability outcomes. The framework provides a systematic approach to assess cost and sustainability trade-offs across locations, considering the end-to-end supply chain and supporting an informed investment in SAF production.
The lead researchers on this study are part of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), a Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Research Center, which funded the work with a grant from the DOE Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research Program.
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