Renewable fuels for aviation

Renewable and drop-in capable jet fuels are needed to meet the industry's self-imposed targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. This contribution addresses the potentials of renewable jet fuels as an important pillar of a future sustainable aviation sector. Several technology options enabling an energy transition in aviation are currently discussed and researched, such as electric propulsion using batteries and/or hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid electric solutions and liquefied gaseous or synthetic liquid fuels. The aviation sector is in great need of tremendous quantities of renewable drop-in fuels to achieve its self-imposed GHG emission reduction targets and to comply with the internationally adopted Climate Change Conference 21 climate protection targets. Solar-thermochemical fuel production represents a technology that is still far from industrial maturity. The specific GHG emissions of renewable jet fuels strongly depend on the feedstock used and the conversion technology applied. Various promising technologies for the production of renewable jet fuel are under development.