Overview
- The peer-reviewed study in Nature Communications models a process that captures CO2 from air, adds hydrogen, and uses a mirror-focused solar reactor to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
- The researchers say the pathway could scale to industrial output and ease the current reliance on used cooking oil as a feedstock.
- Their siting analysis identifies the United States, Chile, Spain, South Africa, and China as strong locations for large plants.
- The model projects production costs of about $4.62 per kilogram, which is below one Direct Air Capture and CO2 Utilisation estimate of $5.60 per kilogram.
- The technique remains at the research stage and the industrial infrastructure to make such fuel at scale is not yet in place.