Lufthansa Begins Collaboration to Develop Fuel From Sunlight

The Lufthansa Group has initiated a partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and the Institute’s spin-offs, Climeworks and Synhelion, to develop cost-effective carbon-neutral fuels which are entirely compatible with the current global fuel infrastructure, according to a press release.

The partnership, featuring Lufthansa Group subsidiaries Swiss International Air Lines and Edelweiss Air, covers a joint effort in technology and economic efficiency to create sustainable aviation fuels.

Last June, it was announced that scientists and engineers from ETH Zurich developed a novel technology capable of producing liquid hydrocarbon fuels exclusively from sunlight and air, which can also be used for jet fuel production.

This innovative technology encompasses three thermochemical processes that enable the extraction of carbon dioxide and water from the air, the solar-thermochemical splitting of carbon dioxide and water and liquefaction into hydrocarbons.  The fuels produced with this technology release only as much carbon dioxide as previously extracted from the air for production.

The aviation industry accounts for 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and global dimming.

Therefore, the development of alternative sustainable aviation fuels is crucial for the future of the aviation industry and climate. The International Civil Aviation Organization adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), an emission mitigation plan to achieve the global aspirational goal of carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards.

https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/05/17/lufthansa-collaborates-with-eth-zurich-to-develop-carbon-neutral-fuel-from-sunlight/