Aviation Platform

Feasibility of Bio-­Based Airline Fuel

Fact: Worldwide 34 billion kg carbon emissions are generated in one year, with the aviation industry only being responsible for approximately two percent of this amount.

Although the aviation industry produces less carbon emissions compared to the other sectors, the industry is trying to be more sustainable. In addition, a depletion of fossil fuel causes an increase in its value, while there is a supply uncertainty. One of the solutions for these difficulties can be operating with sustainable biofuel (Figure: Lifecycle emissions from biofuels). Keep in mind when discussing sustainable biofuel, I really mean sustainable biofuel, which is made from microalgae. Cooking oil is absolutely excluded from being sustainable, in my opinion.

Figure: Lifecycle emissions from biofuels (source: Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Biofuels)

In the first month of my graduation internship I already found the biggest obstacle to achieve my assignment: gathering the stakeholders for my interview. I have experienced the independence of the aviation sector in the Netherlands. Stakeholders (airlines, airports, refinery, government) seclude themselves from cooperating with any other company.

The Dutch government is one of the most important stakeholders when we are discussing biofuel. Did you know the Dutch government is not supporting aviation directly in any kind of way like they do for ground and public transport through funds or subsidies? In foreign countries the local government supports far more researches regarding microalgae and biofuel for aviation. This while our government is and I quote “waiting and expecting for a breakthrough from the US Air force”. In the meantime while the Dutch government is stepping into the shadow of the US, the companies are trying to find a solution for operating with biofuel made from microalgae on their own.
Newsflash for each and every stakeholder: you can try and have your own research, however to eventually realize your goal, you will need to cooperate with each other!

I still find it hard to believe how the Dutch aviation industry is being the most stubborn industry in the Netherlands, while a single cooperation between a few companies will even create chances to avoid the EU-ETS supplementary expenses.
I have finalized my research with the following recommendation. Operating a domestic flight with 50 percent biofuel is not feasible without the government its involvement (keeping out the cooperation failure between stakeholders). Although the outcome of my research was not what Platform Duurzame Luchtvaart had hoped for, yet did expect, I did graduate with a 9 out of 10.

Futher information is available through the author: Nafiseh Gholami