The Current State and Future of Biofuel Usage in Aviation

As of 2023, the aviation industry has been transitioning towards the use of biofuels, or sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve more sustainable operations. In 2021, the global consumption of SAFs reached approximately 4.5 million gallons (around 17 million liters). By 2022, this number was estimated to have increased, but exact figures for 2023 are yet to be fully reported.

Aviation Industry's Focus on Biofuels

The aviation industry has set ambitious targets to significantly increase the use of biofuels in the coming years. Many airlines and manufacturers are targeting a 50/50 blend of SAFs in their fuel supply by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which will require a substantial increase in the production and use of SAFs.

Challenges and Current Usage

While the growth in SAF usage is promising, it still represents a small fraction of total aviation fuel consumption. In 2019, global aviation fuel consumption was around 350 billion gallons (approximately 1.3 trillion liters). Despite the growth, the industry is actively working on increasing the availability and affordability of biofuels to meet future sustainability goals.

Impact on Performance and Economy

Some research suggests that while biodiesel fuels for piston engines contain less energy and produce less power compared to traditional fuels, they have a higher octane number. This makes them suitable for airplane piston engines, but they may deliver poorer fuel economy. Additionally, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends for jets have been used since 2008 and are permitted in commercial flights up to 50 biofuel blends. There is a push for market saturation by 2025.

Available Biofuels for Aviation

Oslo Airport (OSL) was the first to offer sustainable jet fuel in 2016. In terms of piston aircraft, there are alcohol fuel blends for gas models, including biodiesel (drop-in renewable diesel) that is chemically identical to petroleum diesel. However, there is little statistical data available for these fuels.

Day-to-Day Usage in Commercial Jets

Currently, there is essentially no biofuel used in aircraft on a day-to-day basis for non-experimental flying. The regulation and standards for aviation fuel are strict, and it MUST meet certain criteria to be used commercially.

In conclusion, while the aviation industry is making strides towards increasing its use of biofuels, these efforts still face significant challenges. The industry's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint is clear, and continued research and development are crucial for the widespread adoption of biofuels in aviation.