Published: December 8, 2023 |

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The first test flight to demonstrate the potential for converting methanol to SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) has taken place in Dubai on the sidelines of COP28 in the UAE. Masdar, TotalEnergies, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, Airbus, Falcon Aviation Services, and technology licensor Axens all contributed to the successful flight.

The alcohol-to-jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene pathway (ATJ-SPK) has been certified in 2016 as meeting international standards for jet fuel, however Methanol is not in the list of specified alcohols. The flight, which used a blend of aviation fuel made from olefins, will help support the certification of this new pathway for SAF production from methanol.

With the potential to be derived from renewable electricity, the new pathway could lead to eSAF, an essential lever to meet the challenge of producing SAF worldwide to decarbonize aviation.

The launch of the (Dubai Framework) for sustainable aviation fuel, represented an important step on the path towards a more sustainable future in aviation. This test flight demonstrates the shared ambition of Masdar and TotalEnergies to advance the development of SAF and provide another option in ongoing efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry. SAF has huge potential for reducing the hard-to-abate aviation sector’s carbon emissions and Masdar is proud to support the development and growth of this sector.

TotalEnergies is delighted to have initiated this scouting effort together with Masdar. As industry and energy companies, our collective job is to work on the next generation of clean aviation fuels that could complement SAF currently produced from used cooking oil. This novel pathway to jet, through e-SAF, is critical to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.

Sustainable aviation fuel is an immediately available solution for significantly reducing the CO2 emissions of air transportation. It can be used as a drop-in fuel without modifying existing storage and refueling infrastructure, aircraft or engines,” said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and chief executive officer of TotalEnergies.

“Gradual incorporation worldwide should help significantly lower the CO2 emissions of air transportation since, on average, biojet fuel produces an average of 80 percent fewer CO2 emissions over its lifecycle when produced from waste and residue. eSAF, synthetic fuel derived from renewable energy, is compatible with jet engines and offers a similar performance to fossil fuels,” added Pouyanné.

Operating in the United States since 1957, TotalEnergies is focused on identifying opportunities to meet growing energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. With a presence in more than 30 U.S. states, the company is developing an integrated portfolio combining 25 GW of operated and non-operated solar and wind projects, storage, and trading. It is also the number one U.S. exporter of LNG, a critical partner for intermittent renewable energies.

Masdar is one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies and a green hydrogen leader, placing the UAE at the forefront of the energy transition. As a pioneer in advancing the clean energy sector and a key enabler of the UAE’s vision as a global leader in sustainability and climate action, Masdar is active in more than 40 countries across six continents and has invested, or committed to invest, in worldwide projects with a combined value of more than $30 billion.

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