In the pursuit of sustainable aviation, UK-based Firefly Green Fuels has turned heads with an unconventional approach – creating jet fuel from human waste, CCN reported.
While the concept of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is not new, using wastewater as a feedstock is a revolutionary idea that has created intrigue in the industry.
Commercial aviation contributes approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions, leading to a search for environmentally friendly alternatives.
Electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft are being developed, but SAF is currently considered a more viable solution, which according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) can contribute up to 65% of the emission reductions needed for net-zero aviation by 2050. .
Wastewater-derived Firefly’s SAF is produced by hydrothermal liquefaction, a process that converts waste into carbon- and oil-rich biochar. Although it is still in the experimental phase in laboratory conditions, the first results are promising, with a 90% lower carbon footprint compared to standard jet fuel, according to a life cycle analysis carried out by Cranfield University.
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James Hygate, CEO of Firefly, highlights the abundance of wastewater around the world, stating: “There’s a lot of it, it’s all over the world and there’s no good use for it at the moment, it’s a very low value material. The company believes that turning waste into fuel could be a significant but untapped resource.
Despite the potential benefits, experts urge caution. Dr. Anna Hewitt emphasizes that while alternative fuels such as wastewater-derived SAF may play a role in the short to medium term, the focus should remain on scalable, zero-emissions solutions to achieve net-zero aviation by 2050.
Hewitt also notes that, like other SAFs, poop-powered flight does not address in-flight emissions or the issue of contrails contributing to aviation-related warming.
As the airline industry explores inventive paths to sustainability, the feasibility and scalability of poop-powered flights adds a unique twist to the ongoing conversation about the future of air travel.
