SAFFiRE will utilize DOE’s technology to convert corn stover, a widely available waste feedstock in the U.S., into renewable ethanol that then would be upgraded. into SAF.
In 2021, Southwest set a near-term goal to maintain carbon neutrality to 2019 levels while continuing to grow its operations, part of which includes replacing 10 percent of its total jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030. In order to achieve this, Southwest has invested in SAFFiRE Renewables. It is formed by D3MAX as a part of the Department of Energy-backed project to develop and produce scalable, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Funded with the department grants along with Southwest’s investment, SAFFiRE is expected to utilize technology developed by the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to convert corn stover, a widely available waste feedstock in the U.S., into renewable ethanol that then would be upgraded into SAF.
According to NREL, this could produce significant quantities of cost-competitive SAF that could provide an 84 percent reduction in carbon intensity compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis. Phase one of the project is expected to include technology validation, preliminary design, and a business plan for a pilot plant.
Adam Bratis, Associate Laboratory Director of BioEnergy Sciences & Technology at NREL said, “NREL is thrilled to contribute its research and development expertise in biofuels to this exciting collaboration with Southwest Airlines, D3MAX, and DOE to potentially bring SAF to the market quickly and economically”.
Bob Jordan, Chief Executive Officer at Southwest said, “SAF is critical for decarbonizing the aviation sector. This is a unique opportunity to invest in what we believe could be game-changing technology that could facilitate the replacement of up to approximately five percent of our jet fuel with SAF by 2030, with the potential to significantly continue to scale beyond the decade. This first-of-its-kind investment is another step we are taking to address our environmental impact, and it also supports our efforts to partner with organizations and government entities to help our industry reach the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Mark Yancey, CEO of SAFFiRE said, “We are extremely excited to be working with Southwest Airlines—they will be a great investor. SAFFiRE technology is expected to produce lower carbon SAF compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis, which could become carbon negative with process improvements and carbon capture. If we are successful in developing and commercializing this technology, we project the technology can produce 7.5 billion gallons per year of SAF by 2040.”
The pilot project is intended to validate the commercialization of this corn-stover-to-ethanol technology, which could lead to a follow-up phase. If phase one is successful the second phase will include the design, fabrication, installation, and operation of a pilot plant producing renewable ethanol utilizing technology developed by D3MAX and NREL. In phase two, the renewable ethanol is planned to be upgraded into SAF by LanzaJet, at its biorefinery currently under construction in Soperton, Georgia.
