The aviation industry has proven to be a major headache on the road to lowering our global carbon emissions. You can't simply put batteries in an airplane to make it emission-free, akin to what we do with cars and trucks.
Weight is the restricting factor, and unless we get a major breakthrough in battery technology creating ultralight batteries with a high energy density, some form of fuel will be needed to propel our planes.
In a quest to replace conventional petroleum-based aircraft fuel, scientists at the University of Georgia took a closer look at a sustainable aviation fuel based on oil derived from a non-edible mustard plant called Brassica Carinata (also known as Ethiopian mustard). They determined that it can lower carbon emissions by up to 68% if it replaces conventional fossil fuels.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal GCB Bioenergy.
Brassica carinata, also known as Ethiopian mustard - Image Credit: ChWeiss via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci
According to Puneet Dwivedi, lead author of the paper, the aviation industry is responsible for approximately 3.5% of global warming. Sustainable aviation fuel made from Carinata can aid in reducing the carbon footprint of the sector while simultaneously generating economic opportunities and improving the flow of ecosystem services throughout the southeastern region of the United States.
Researchers estimate the price for Carinata based to be between $0.12 and $1.28 per liter. According to Dwivedi, it could beat fossil fuel prices, especially with tax credits flowing from the US goal of a 20% reduction in aviation emissions by 2030.
Avoiding the fuel versus food conundrum
Scientists have spent the past four years studying how to grow Carinata in the southeastern part of the United States. They looked at optimum genetics and best practices for the highest crop and oil yield. The results of these efforts inspire confidence that Caritana can support the regional economy and environment.
One of the main advantages of Carinata is that it can be grown as a winter crop in the southeastern part of the United States as winters aren't as harsh compared to other regions. As an off-season crop, it won't compete with other crops, avoiding fuel versus food concerns.
Furthermore, as mentioned by Dwivedi, growing Carinata offers all the cover-crop advantages linked to soil health, water quality, pollination, and biodiversity.
As a off-season winter crop, carinata won’t compete with other crops - Image Credit: Rahul Lakesar via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci
Where to start
Georgia would be the ideal state to experiment with Carinata based sustainable aviation fuel. It is one of the biggest consumers of fossil aviation fuel in the United States, contains several large airports, and is home to large airline corporations like Delta.
Dwivedi and his team are currently modeling the economic and environmental feasibility of producing and using Carinata based fuels across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama from a supply-chain perspective. There is still a hurdle to take with respect to missing local infrastructure that can process the seed oil into sustainable airplane fuel.
If the plan is deemed feasible, it will be an excellent step towards a 20% carbon reduction in the aviation sector by 2030.
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