Masdar has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to assess the viability of developing a commercial green hydrogen to methanol to SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) project.
The project will capture and utilise CO2 from an “industrial source” to be used as a feedstock, in addition to green hydrogen from renewable energy-powered electrolysis, for the production of green methanol and SAF.
This agreement follows a test flight conducted by the two companies during December 2023, which, the parties said demonstrated the potential for converting methanol to SAF.
According to the IEA, aviation has grown faster in recent decades than rail, road or shipping, and its emissions are growing, too.
The industry currently accounts for around 3 per cent of emissions, however, looking ahead to 2050, if aviation is left unmitigated, this could rise to 22 per cent.
While there has been significant emphasis on the role of SAF in aviation’s decarbonisation, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2024, SAF production will reach just 0.53 per cent of aviation’s fuel needs.