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Power-to-Liquid fuels for aviation – Processes, resources and supply potential under German conditions

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  • Drünert, Sebastian
  • Neuling, Ulf
  • Zitscher, Tjerk
  • Kaltschmitt, Martin

Abstract

This paper addresses the possible contribution of Power-to-Liquid (PtL) kerosene to a more sustainable fuel supply for the aviation sector, using Germany as an example. An overview of the Power-to-Liquid technology and the corresponding provision chains of PtL kerosene is given. Thereby, the resource potential needed to implement such processes under German conditions are presented by discussing relevant sources of sustainable CO2 and the availability of electricity from renewable sources. Based on a subsequent techno-economic and resource assessment, the possible contribution of PtL kerosene for the German commercial aviation sector is evaluated within 13 supply cases. The PtL kerosene supply cases that have been assessed for the years 2030 and 2050. For these cases, a market ramp-up in 2030 could solely be supplied by CO2 from industrial point sources, but for a large-scale introduction until 2050 varying amounts of CO2 from direct air capture are needed. Regarding the power supply, for the 2030 cases approx. 48 TWh of additional renewable electricity would be needed, increasing up to 440–745 TWh for the 2050 cases; which equals an increase of up to 300% based on the current production. In contrast, fuel production costs of 2.3–3.3€/kg in 2030 may drop to 1.8–3.1€/kg in 2050, depending on the provision chain. These results highlight the future importance of the development of new sustainable carbon dioxide sources (such as direct air capture (DAC)) and the need to adjust the development targets for the generation of renewable electricity.

Suggested Citation

  • Drünert, Sebastian & Neuling, Ulf & Zitscher, Tjerk & Kaltschmitt, Martin, 2020. "Power-to-Liquid fuels for aviation – Processes, resources and supply potential under German conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:277:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920310904
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115578
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    10. Braun, Matthias & Grimme, Wolfgang & Oesingmann, Katrin, 2024. "Pathway to net zero: Reviewing sustainable aviation fuels, environmental impacts and pricing," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
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