We’ve seen lots of uses of blended Sustainable Air Fuel (SAF). Still, it seems a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium has confirmed it is going to operate the world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight across the Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic SAF Flight Engine Test – Picutre Lucy Ray/PA Wire
The test marks a key milestone in the project which will see the world’s first 100% SAF flight travel across the Atlantic from London Heathrow to New York JFK on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce have confirmed the successful Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend ground test on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine.
In addition to the test, fuel suppliers Air bp and Virent have been announced to supply the 60 tonnes of SAF to be used in the world first, supporting consortium research, testing and the flight itself. The SAF will be produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway as well as synthetic aromatic kerosene (SAK) SAF at an 88% and 12% blend ratio.
The realisation of the 100% SAF transatlantic flight taking to the skies is a challenging task requiring cross-industry collaboration and dedicated project teams working on the research, testing and operations to make it happen. The Virgin Atlantic-led consortium, joint-funded by the UK Department for Transport, includes Rolls Royce, Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute.
The successful bench engine test is a key milestone, however further permissions and safety approvals are required for the flight to take off in November.
In Quotes
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, commented:
“The 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight will be a historic moment in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonisation. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is the most readily available way for our industry to decarbonise, but currently there’s not enough supply and without it and the radical collaboration required to produce it, we can’t meet our 2030 targets. We need UK government support to create a UK SAF industry to allow for every single flight out of the UK to operate with 100% SAF – if we make it, we can fly it.”
Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said:
“We are incredibly proud that our Trent 1000 engines will power the first ever flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel across the Atlantic. Confirming that we have successfully completed the ground test of the Trent 1000 engine today, using the chosen 100% SAF blend, gives us increased confidence for the engine’s performance and operation ahead of the flight this November. The flight will represent an incredible milestone for the entire aviation industry in its journey towards net zero carbon emissions.”
Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, commented:
“A year on from the launch of our Jet Zero Strategy, I’m delighted that Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the first ever transatlantic flight powered solely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel will take off this winter. Thanks to government funding, this flight will be a huge step towards net zero and showcase the potential of SAF – creating jobs and helping to grow our economy.”
Andreea Moyes, Global Aviation Sustainability Director at Air bp, said:
“We are thrilled to be supplying Sustainable Aviation Fuel for the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight. SAF is currently the most viable option to help us meet the industry’s net zero ambition and in the short and medium term it will be the only option for long-haul flights. Moving our industry and policy towards the use of 100% SAF is important as we work in collaboration with key stakeholders to help decarbonize aviation.”
Dave Kettner, President & General Counsel, Virent, said:
“With Virent’s plant-based Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) providing essential fuel components, this test showed that 100% drop-in renewable fuel is cleaner burning and will work seamlessly in today’s commercial airline engines. We’re honored to collaborate with Virgin Atlantic, Rolls-Royce and Air bp as these forward-looking companies lead the way in sustainable aviation. Virent shares their commitment to finding sustainable ways to fly, and we’re excited about the pivotal role our BioForm® SAK plays in making that goal a reality.”
Sheila Remes, Vice President of Environmental Sustainability at Boeing, said:
“Boeing is proud to provide technical expertise and support for this testing as we gear-up for Virgin Atlantic’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner to make the first 100% SAF transatlantic flight. We look forward to continuing to work with our project partners on this journey, taking one more step towards a sustainable future of flight.”
An Important Demonstration – but supply will be key in the future.
We’re all racing to the dream of Net Zero by 2050. This collaboration is showing that it is theoretically possible to power an aircraft across the Atlantic and beyond using a drop-in fuel replacement.
But there is lag within the industry, as the aviation industry tries to meet a 10% SAF requirement by 2030.
I’ve gone through the number before, but SAF supply is lacking. Whilst demonstrations like this are essential to show the viability of SAF, its performance and viability, if you haven’t got the supply in the longer term, it’s going to mean nothing.
SAF typically delivers CO2 lifecycle emissions savings of more than 70% whilst performing like the traditional jet fuel it replaces, as the industry attempts to understand how to power the next generation of aircraft.
There’s s lot of work to go – this flight will be an important demonstration of what-if, however, it needs to be backed with supply, certification and the commercial will to deliver this in the future.
Images, Virgin Atlantic
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What is the Sustainable Aviation Fuel made from? Corn? Won’t that just be another source competing for a limited amount of “food”
Corn is the Biofuel end. Sustainable Air Fuel can be made of many things. Such things inclide,Used fat, oil and grease, Municipal waste. Agricultural and forestry waste and residues waste oils.
There is no set standard of “what”it contains.
Improtantly. they do not not use food crops, prime agricultural land or fresh water, so they don’t compete as biofuels that use corn do.
Well that’s great to hear. Unlike Ethanol.