Aviation industry is also a major contributor to carbon emissions. Researchers and companies are working tirelessly to find relevant solutions. One such development is sustainable jet fuel without fossil fuels by Firefly Green Fuels. This innovative fuel is derived from human waste, and has a 90% lower carbon footprint in comparison to others. The company has partnered with Wizz Air, and they are planning to commence fuel supply in 2028.
A UK-based company Firefly Green Fuels has developed a new jet fuel from human waste. Also, it is completely fossil-fuel free. To confirm that the newly developed fuel has a lower carbon footprint, the company worked with experts at Cranfield University. They discovered that this fuel has around 90% lower CO2 footprint than that of what the aviation industry has now.
The company is working towards making its fuel available for commercial use worldwide, despite not being available yet. They are planning to have its first commercial plant up and running within 5 years. The company has partnered with budget airline Wizz Air. This has created an ideal match for the name and source of its potential combustibles. Starting from 2028, the company will supply fuel to Wizz Air.
It presently collects waste from water companies in the UK. Then through hydrothermal liquefaction to refine sewage into sludge or crude oil. This process also produces solid by-products that can be turned into crop fertilizer. The company asserts that the entire process has a carbon intensity of 7.97 grams of carbon dioxide per megajoule (gCO²e/MJ). The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reports that carbon intensity for jet fuel varies from 85 to 95 gCO²e/MJ.
Regulators and leaders in Europe and the US have been working towards achieving carbon neutrality in airspaces. Electric cars are popular, but it might be a while before we see battery-powered commercial jets. Therefore, it is important to find solutions for creating more environmentally friendly jet fuel in the meantime.
About Firefly
They are developing a new way to produce SAF using sewage, a highly sustainable waste material. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of aviation and support global biodiversity and public health. They are quickly expanding our production of SAF in the UK and around the world.
Sustainable Processes
Their innovative method, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), effectively harnesses high pressure and heat at lower energy levels. This helps to efficiently process wet wastes, transforming sewage into valuable crude oil and biochar. The biochar can be utilized for carbon sequestration in construction or agriculture, serving as a soil improver. Additionally, crude oil can be further converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through exclusive processes. They are the same processes that were used to produce traditional jet fuels derived from fossil sources.
The Firefly Green Fuels is not only innovative but also highly cost-effective due to its advanced technology.
- Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is an efficient method to produce biocrude. Their simplified process reduces production costs, making our SAF affordable.
- While they primarily use sewage sludge, their process can also be applied to other wet biogenic materials.
Scalability
Firefly created sustainable jet fuel without fossil fuels. Its process is adaptable to any location worldwide where human waste is treated. The demand for SAF on a global scale is surpassing the supply, creating a vast market opportunity. Their straightforward and eco-friendly approach enables us to produce SAF at an exceptionally competitive price. Moreover, the presence of both national and international mandates for increased SAF usage ensures market stability. It also provides a strong economic incentive for expanding our production in the future.
About the Founder
With more than two decades of experience in the biofuels industry, James Hygate emerges as a remarkable figure. As the founder of Firefly Green Fuels, he brings extensive expertise to the table. Back in 2003, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by establishing Green Fuels Limited (GFL).
GFL has been supplying fuel production equipment to over 80 countries since 2003. In 2012, the company was granted a Royal Warrant to supply biofuels to the Prince of Wales. At Firefly, James is in charge of strategic direction, vision, management, and investor relations.
Source: Making SAF from sewage