ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (UAE) — The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, today announced the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 powered by GE’s GEnx-1B engines.
- Khalifa University, Etihad Airways, Boeing, ADNOC, Safran, GE and
BAUER Resources celebrate a major milestone in developing a comprehensive
sustainable aviation fuel value chain
- Research has shown that jet fuel can be produced using desert land
and sea water through an innovative agricultural process. The project supports
the UAE’s diversification plans and commitment to sustainability.
The flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam marked a major
milestone in the development of a clean, alternative aviation fuel to reduce
carbon emissions. The initiative also addresses food security in the UAE through
the farming of seafood as a core element in the process.
The SBRC partners have been working
together to prove the concept of a comprehensive value chain that is centered
around the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS). This is a synergistic
industrial platform that supports the aviation sector, the oil and gas industry,
food production and the creation of a new agricultural alternative in the UAE.
His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al
Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “The UAE’s visionary
leadership is strongly committed to positioning the country as a global hub for
innovation and sustainability. In this context, productive cross-disciplinary
public-private partnerships are crucial to fuelling research and development
efforts and creating game-changing innovations that enable a more sustainable
future.
“Deep decarbonisation of
energy-intensive industries has a ripple effect on food security and climate
action. Clean, alternative aviation fuels are an innovative and sustainable
solution to significantly reducing harmful carbon emissions. The UAE is proud
to be a pioneer in this domain.”
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed
Saeed Hareb Al Mheiri, Minister of State for Food Security, said: “This proof
of concept is a ground-breaking development that addresses the challenges of
energy, water and food security – three elements that are inextricably linked
and which form a nexus, meaning that actions in any one area have an impact in
the others. What is particularly exciting about the SEAS is that it is an
initiative that supports multiple platforms; aviation, oil and gas and
agriculture. It is an important specialised initiative under the aquaculture
umbrella, with the UAE recognising that this sector represents one of the best
uses of what is the region’s most precious resource and has consequently
established its aquaculture sector with an investment of more than AED 100
million to develop hatcheries and fish farms.”
Etihad Airways has been at the forefront of aviation
biofuel research in the region and this marks the first time that a flight has
been operated on fuel derived from plants grown in saltwater.
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer Etihad
Aviation Group, said: “This is a significant milestone for the UAE and its key
industries. Etihad is fully committed to this project which demonstrates a
successful proof of concept that is local, viable, cost-effective and
sustainable.
“Decarbonisation is important across the aviation
industry and, together with our partners, Etihad is proud to be at the
forefront of this pioneering new research.”
Sustainable fuel for the flight was derived from oil in
Salicornia plants, which were grown on the two-hectare SEAS farm in Masdar City.
The SEAS is the world’s first desert ecosystem designed to produce fuel and
food in saltwater. Fish and shrimp raised at the facility provide nutrients for
the plants as well as contribute to the UAE’s food production.
Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President,
Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The landmark achievement
by the SBRC, part of Masdar Institute at Khalifa University, and partners marks
a new beginning for the use of clean fuel for air travel. Khalifa University is
proud to be part of the consortium, driving research and innovation, while
contributing to creating a sustainable biofuel value chain, supporting the
UAE’s strategic objectives in the energy and food sectors. The collaboration
partners and Masdar Institute researchers have contributed significantly to
achieve this success and we believe the use of biofuel for this commercial
flight will make a compelling statement that impacts stakeholders in the
aviation, energy and transportation sectors.”
Dr Al Hammadi added: “As a leading research institution
in the region focused on providing cutting edge technologies in clean energy,
Masdar Institute at Khalifa University remains committed to continue with its
mandate to produce biofuel, clean energy, and sustainable technologies for
reducing carbon emissions, as well as water and environment-related research.”
Using sustainable feedstock to produce the fuel significantly
reduces life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuel. The
biofuel is blended directly with jet fuel and does not require any
modifications to aircraft, engines or airport fuelling delivery systems. The
unique initiative also bolsters the oil and gas industry by using existing
refining infrastructure, with the potential to become an important new option
for sustainable aviation fuel in the future.
ADNOC Refining has played a fundamental role, providing the
expertise and infrastructure to ensure the effective refining of the seed oil
to meet stringent jet fuel standards. ADNOC Distribution has also provided an
essential element of the project through the blending and delivery of the
biofuel to the aircraft.
UOP-Honeywell’s (a founding member of the SBRC) Ecofining
technology was used in the refining process of the oil and recognition is also
given to Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (ADVOC) for essential assistance in
the pre-treatment phases.
Jasem Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer ADNOC Refining, said:
"We are proud of the role that ADNOC Refining is playing in carrying out
this research for the SBRC pilot project. Today represents a significant step
forward on the journey towards finding a final solution for commercial-scale
aviation biofuel.”
Approximately 160,000 passenger flights have flown on a
blend of sustainable and traditional jet fuel since the first biofuels were
certified for commercial use in 2011. Sustainable aviation fuel represents a
significant opportunity to help aviation meet its goals to cap the growth of
carbon emissions by 2020 and cut levels to half of what they were in 2005 by
2050.
Sean Schwinn, Vice President of Strategy and Market Development for
Boeing International, said: “Etihad’s flight proves
SEAS is a game-changer that can substantially benefit air transport and the
world. The research and technology being developed shows significant promise to
transform coastal deserts into productive farmland supporting food security and
cleaner skies.”
Operated by the SBRC, the SEAS pilot facility became
operational in March 2016. Salt-tolerant halophyte plants that thrive in desert
conditions and do not require fresh water or arable land to grow are nurtured
there. After wastewater from the fish fertilises the plants, it is diverted
into a cultivated mangrove forest. This further removes nutrients and provides
valuable carbon storage before the naturally filtered and treated effluent is
discharged back into the sea.
Over the course of the next few
years, the system is expected to scale up to 200 hectares in the move towards
full-scale commercial implementation.