Biojet fuels and emissions mitigation in aviation: An integrated assessment modeling analysis

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2017 · Transportation Research. Part D, Transport and Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.03.006· OSTI ID:1393757

Wise, Marshall; Muratori, Matteo; Kyle, Page

Although the aviation sector is a relatively small contributor to total greenhouse gas emissions, it is a fast-growing, fossil fuel-intensive transportation mode. Because aviation is a mode for which liquid fuels currently have no practical substitute, biofuels are gaining attention as a promising cleaner alternative. In this paper, we use the GCAM integrated assessment model to develop scenarios that explore the potential impact of biojet fuels for use in aviation in the context of broader climate change mitigation. We show that a carbon price would have a significant impact on the aviation sector. In the absence of alternatives to jet fuel from petroleum, mitigation potential is limited and would be at the expense of aviation service demand growth. However, mitigation efforts through the increased use of biojet fuels show potential to reduce the carbon intensity of aviation, and may not have a significant impact on carbon mitigation and bioenergy use in the rest of the energy system. The potential of biofuel to decarbonize air transport is significantly enhanced when carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is used in the conversion process to produce jet fuels from biomass feedstock.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1393757
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-120807; BM0106000
• Journal Information: Transportation Research. Part D, Transport and Environment, Journal Name: Transportation Research. Part D, Transport and Environment Journal Issue: PA Vol. 52; ISSN 1361-9209
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English