Spatially Explicit Assessment of the Feasibility of Sustainable Aviation Fuels Production in Brazil: Results of Three Case Studies

Arnaldo Walter, Joaquim Seabra, Jansle Rocha, Marjorie Guarenghi, Nathália Vieira, Desirèe Damame and João Luís Santos
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Arnaldo Walter: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, 200 Mendeleyev, Campinas 13083-860, Brazil
Joaquim Seabra: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, 200 Mendeleyev, Campinas 13083-860, Brazil
Jansle Rocha: School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Campinas, 501 Candido Rondon, Campinas 13083-875, Brazil
Marjorie Guarenghi: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, 200 Mendeleyev, Campinas 13083-860, Brazil
Nathália Vieira: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, 200 Mendeleyev, Campinas 13083-860, Brazil
Desirèe Damame: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, 200 Mendeleyev, Campinas 13083-860, Brazil
João Luís Santos: Geo Meridium, 777 Jorge Hennings, Campinas 13070-142, Brazil

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: For international civil aviation to be able to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) needs to be made feasible. This paper presents the results of an assessment of the feasibility of production of SAF in Brazil, considering three certified routes, based on the dedicated production of eucalyptus, soy, sugarcane and corn. The results presented here refer to the production of biomass in selected locations, aiming to reduce GHG emissions and minimise production costs. Considering that the opportunity costs of feedstocks were not observed, the minimum selling price (MSP) of SAF in the reference case was estimated at 13.4 EUR·GJ ?1 for the production based on soybean oil (HEFA-SPK route), 21.0 EUR·GJ ?1 for the production based on ethanol from sugarcane and corn (ATJ-SPK) and 32.0 EUR·GJ ?1 from eucalyptus (FT-SPK). These values refer to SAF’s n th industrial plant and biomass costs that are compatible with the current agricultural yields in Brazil but which are also the highest. The MSP results are relatively low compared to the estimates available in the literature, but they do not show the strict economic viability of SAFs in the short- to medium-term, mainly because of the low prices of fossil fuels.

Keywords: GHG mitigation; biofuels; sustainability; aviation; georeferenced; feasibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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