Regulatory needs for synthetic aviation fuels
Deploying synthetic jet fuels at scale requires clear regulations that ensure safety, compatibility, and environmental integrity. Regulators play a key role in certifying fuels, setting sustainability criteria, and fostering market uptake.
Priority regulatory areas
- Fuel standards and certification: ensuring synthetic fuels meet technical and safety specifications for aircraft engines and fuel systems (e.g., ASTM or equivalent standards).
- Sustainability criteria: defining lifecycle greenhouse gas calculation methods and verifying low-carbon feedstocks and electricity sources for credible emissions reductions.
- Blending rules: setting allowable blending ratios for synthetic fuels with conventional jet fuel and creating pathways for approval of higher blend levels.
- Incentives and mandates: policies like blending mandates, low-carbon fuel standards, or tax incentives to create demand and lower costs through scale.
Operational and infrastructure regulation
- Handling and storage standards: ensuring ground handling, storage, and refueling practices align with synthetic fuel properties.
- Airport fuel supply chains: coordinating logistics, fuel quality testing, and supply agreements to ensure reliable availability.
Monitoring and verification
- Certification and reporting: systems to verify production methods, renewable electricity use, and CO2 sourcing.
- International coordination: aligning rules across jurisdictions to facilitate global aviation operations and prevent market fragmentation.
Public safety and environmental protection
- Emissions and air quality: monitoring non-CO2 impacts like contrails and local air pollutants, and ensuring synthetic fuels do not adversely affect engine emissions profiles.
Conclusion
Robust technical standards, sustainability verification, clear blending rules, and supportive market policies are essential to enable safe, credible, and scalable use of synthetic fuels in aviation. International cooperation will be especially important given the global nature of air travel.