Working groups
The aireg members work together in three working groups and a task force to solve major issues around sustainable aviation fuels.
Working group Resources and Technologies
- Which feedstocks are suitable for the production of alternative aviation fuel? Short, medium and longer-term periods are considered.
- From a global perspective, which regions / areas are currently and in the future important for the provision of these raw materials and/or for industrial processing into climate-neutral aviation fuels? Which regions / areas are characterized by which natural advantages and disadvantages?
- What is the technical status of possible processes for the production of climate-neutral aviation fuels? Which options have which advantages and disadvantages? What technical development potentials are emerging for the coming years?
- What are the costs of the various deployment options for climate-neutral aviation fuels in the short, medium, and longer term?
- What other effects on the climate are associated with the use of the various options of potential aviation fuels? How can these be minimized?
- How might potential market ramp-up scenarios look like? How can an optimal transition from one aviation fuel to another be realized?
The aim of this working group is to investigate available feedstocks and production options for climate-neutral aviation fuels and to evaluate the respective advantages and disadvantages.
Potentials and opportunities for the supply of feedstocks and primary energies into fuels conforming the specifications
Use of SAF in tank systems and aircraft engines, implications for climate impact of SAF
Working group Quality, Certification and Use
The working group is concerned with the specific use of alternative fuels and handles all aspects of the quality and approval of new sustainable fuels for aviation.
- What impact do SAF have on engines, aircraft and infrastructure? The studies are scientifically supported by leading research institutes.
- To what extent do individual aspects of the logistics supply chain need to be adapted? Special attention is paid to the requirements of the airlines as end users.
- How much SAF will be needed in what period of time? These answers also allow conclusions about the feasibility of meeting certain climate targets.
- How can the quality of fuel supply and logistics be maintained? Support is also provided to producers of sustainable aviation fuels that have not been represented on the market to date.
- How can the approval of further SAF-options be accelerated? Here, the working group cooperates with international organizations.
- How do approved sustainable fuels behave in combination with different conventional kerosene? Can specification characteristics of Jet A-1 aviation fuel be adapted?
Working group Sustainability
The core objective of this working group is to integrate the three pillars of sustainability – ecology, economy and equity – into the overall value chain of aireg activities.
- What criteria do the various sustainability standards cover? The analysis also serves to define a clear sustainability catalog for aireg.
- Which raw materials are relevant for the future from a sustainability perspective? The provision of sustainable fuel quantities is considered here on the basis of scenarios.
- How are sustainable aviation fuels considered in the context of emissions trading?
Discussion of all aspects of sustainability issues through the use of SAF
Economic and regulatory aspects of the market ramp-up of sustainable aviation fuels
Task force Economy and Production
The task force “Economy and Production” deals with economic aspects and potential production capacities of sustainable aviation fuels in Germany.
- How can the marketability of SAF be established considering the price competition with fossil fuels?
- How can an infrastructure (refineries for the production of SAF) be designed in Germany in the coming years?
- How can funding be secured for refineries to produce alternative kerosene?