E-Kerosene for Commercial Aviation from Green Hydrogen and CO2 from Direct Air Capture

Authors: Patrick R. Schmidt, Werner Weindorf et al.
Date: September 2022

E-Kerosene for Commercial Aviation. From Green Hydrogen and CO2 from Direct Air Capture – Volumes, Cost, Area Demand and Renewable Energy Competition in the United States and Europe from 2030 to 2050.

The Paris climate goals require commercial aviation to deal with the question, how its fossil energy base can be converted to renewable energies in a sustainable manner. Kerosene from the synthesis of hydrogen and CO2 from renewable sources (e-kerosene) plays a central role here.

The ClimateWorks Foundation has commissioned a group of experts, the German Energy Agency (dena), the Finnish LUT- University and the Technology- und Strategy Consultant Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST) to shed light on this issue.

The study describes potential demand volumes, costs, space requirements and possible competitive aspects in the field of renewable energies. The focus was on e-kerosene with CO2 from air extraction (Direct Air Capture – DAC) for the Regions USA and Europe as well as the time horizons 2030 to 2050. The background is a net-zero scenario for the direct climate impacts of aviation fuel supply and use in 2050.

The study concludes with a further design of the policy framework for a sustainable market launch of e-kerosene in the USA and Europe. A creative approach with many co-benefits and effective elements for the introduction of e-kerosene could be the national strategic fuel stockpiling in Europe and the USA.

More information about the study can be found at the website of dena: Link (in German).

See also: Press article: “We need massive amounts of carbon capture from air to decarbonize aviation, and policymakers must act now” by MATTEO MICHELI, SENIOR EXPERT FOR HYDROGEN AND SYNTHETIC ENERGY CARRIERS AT THE GERMAN ENERGY AGENCY (DENA).

Study

E-Kerosene for Commercial Aviation from Green Hydrogen and CO2 from Direct Air Capture