EU rules for synthetic aviation fuels risk steering development towards production pathways that are both more expensive and more energy-intensive than necessary.

This claim is in a recent study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, that has analysed different methods for producing synthetic methanol.

Last year, rules were introduced requiring a minimum blend of two per cent sustainable aviation fuel at EU airports. This blending requirement will increase gradually, reaching at least 70 per cent by 2050. By then, half of the sustainable aviation fuel must consist of a category known as RFNBO: Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin. These are synthetic fuels, also known as electrofuels, produced from renewable hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide.

All well and good, but researchers at Chalmers have now shown that the RFNBO rules favour a “detour” in the production of synthetic fuels, which risks increasing both costs and energy use.

“Regulations influence not only industry’s investments in technology, but also which research and development priorities are pursued. Instead of driving innovation towards the most efficient solutions, we risk locking ourselves into less resource-efficient production methods,” said Henrik Thunman, professor of energy technology.

The gasification pathway proved to be a more efficient option than combustion-based alternatives, but the EU regulatory framework excludes around half of the fuel produced via gasification. In this respect, the regulation risks working against its own objectives.

The researchers hope that their results will contribute to greater knowledge about the technologies and systems that are available.

“Our study shows that some parts of the regulatory framework probably need to be adjusted if the EU is to achieve its long-term goals,” commented Thunman. “Better coordination is needed between climate targets, resource efficiency and industrial feasibility in order to address the uncertainty that currently exists. This uncertainty makes it difficult to make rational investment decisions for the large-scale expansion of sustainable aviation fuels in the coming years.”

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