Photo Credit : Universal Hydrogen
SAFN-inspired research and development projects have inspired industry confidence in Washington-made aviation biofuels . In 2016 , Alaska Airlines used aviation biofuel produced by WSU ’ s Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance for a historic first commercial flight powered by jet fuel made from woody biomass . The Boeing Company is making sure that its commercial airplanes are capable and certified to fly on 100 percent SAF by 2030 and 20 sustainability and safety innovations are being tested with their 2021 ecoDemonstrator program .
Industry demand for SAF is clear , providing some certainty of a market for the fuel . Alaska Airlines recently partnered with SkyNRG to develop SAF production facilities on the West Coast using MSW as feedstock .
Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels is developing a 64-million-gallon-per-year jet fuel biorefinery in Grays Harbor , Washington and secured $ 600 million in investment this March . Delta Airlines has signed a take-off agreement for the fuel .
Credit : Alaska Airlines
While SAF production in Washington is technically feasible , it has not been commercially competitive — until now .
This April , the Washington State Legislature created a statewide Clean Fuels Program , enabling the state to compete with California , Oregon , and British Columbia to attract sustainable aviation technology and energy businesses . Under the program , producers of greenhouse-gas intensive transportation fuels ( like petroleum jet-A ) can receive a credit for generating less carbon intense energies in the state ( like biofuel from a renewable resource ), incentivizing local production of sustainable fuels . Washington ’ s Low Carbon Fuel Standard ( LCFS ) must begin by January 1 , 2023 .
50 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS