Khalifa University and other stakeholders celebrate a major milestone in developing sustainable aviation fuel
The Sustainable Bio-energy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, recently announced the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 powered by GE engines.
The flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam marked a major milestone in the development of a clean, alternative aviation fuel to reduce carbon emissions.
The SBRC partners have been working together to prove the concept of a comprehensive value chain that is centered on the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS). This is a synergistic industrial platform that supports the aviation sector, the oil and gas industry, food production and the creation of a new agricultural alternative in the UAE.
“Productive cross-disciplinary public-private partnerships are crucial to fuelling research and development efforts and creating game-changing innovations that enable a more sustainable future,” commented HE Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
“This proof of concept is a ground-breaking development that addresses the challenges of energy, water and food security – three elements that are inextricably linked and which form a nexus, meaning that actions in any one area have an impact in the other,” declared HE Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food Security.
Etihad Airways has been at the forefront of aviation biofuel research in the region and this marks the first time that a flight has been operated on fuel derived from plants grown in saltwater.
“Decarbonisation is important across the aviation industry and, together with our partners, Etihad is proud to be at the forefront of this pioneering new research,” noted Tony Douglas, Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group.
Apart from Etihad Airways, Khalifa University, Boeing, ADNOC, Safran, GE and BAUER Resources were the other major stakeholders in developing a comprehensive sustainable aviation fuel value chain.
