South San Francisco, CA July 8, 2020 h/t Robert Riechel, Riechel Reports {original source SFO}
A Milestone for SFO: Neste Makes First Pipeline Delivery of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Supply chain breakthrough fuels Airport push for carbon neutrality
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) reached a milestone in its push towards net-zero carbon. Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from waste and residue raw materials, successfully delivered its first batch of sustainable aviation fuel to SFO via pipeline, where it will be used by major airlines to reduce carbon emissions.
“This is a major milestone in our goal to achieve carbon neutrality, by making SFO a hub for the use of sustainable aviation fuel,” said SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “By focusing on the entire supply chain process, achievements like this one have the power to transform the landscape of our entire industry. I am grateful for our partnership with Neste to make this climate quantum leap a reality.”
This milestone supports SFO’s goal to achieve “triple zero” as an airport, reaching not only zero net carbon but also zero net energy and zero waste going into landfills. This move also helps airlines to achieve their own sustainability goals.
A Pioneering Partnership to Accelerate the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
In 2018, SFO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with fuel producers, including Neste, along with a group of eight airlines to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel at SFO. The agreement was the first of its kind to include fuel suppliers, airlines, and airport agencies in a collaborative effort to accelerate the global transition to sustainable aviation fuel.
Neste is the first company to deliver sustainable aviation fuel, under its brand name Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel™, to SFO using the existing multi-product pipeline infrastructure. The same pipelines were originally designed to carry fossil fuels and other oil products, and are now carrying high volumes of sustainable fuel to aircraft serving Bay Area passengers. Alternatively, Neste would have had to consider delivery via truck, which could have utilized fossil fuel.
Sustainable aviation fuel is a low-emission alternative to fossil jet fuel and works in exactly the same way. This similarity is what allows sustainable aviation fuel, which meets ASTM requirements, to work seamlessly as a drop-in fuel with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure, requiring no extra investment. The main difference is that Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel is made from sustainably sourced, 100 percent renewable waste and residue materials, like used cooking oil or animal fats, instead of crude oil.
The final processing and production activity for this batch of sustainable aviation fuel was completed in Houston, Texas. To get the fuel to California, Neste teamed up with Crowley, a family-owned vessel logistics and management company based in Florida, which transported Neste’s SAF to California on a U.S. flagged tanker where it was stored in a refurbished tank that previously was used to store oil products before being safely delivered to SFO. All this demonstrates the many potential economic benefits of a thriving alternative fuel industry in the United States.
Sustainable aviation fuel offers an immediate solution for reducing the direct greenhouse gas emissions of flying. For example, the volume of sustainable aviation fuel that Neste expects to provide to SFO will deliver roughly the same greenhouse gas emissions reductions as taking 1,200 flights between SFO and NYC on an A320 or 737 out of service. In neat form, Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel helps customers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil fuels on a life cycle basis. To further enhance the environmental benefits of our renewable products, Neste aspires to make its production operations carbon neutral by 2035.
“This is a clear signal to anyone wondering what the future of air travel is – it will be low-emission, it will be sustainable, and it will be powered by sustainable aviation fuel,” said Chris Cooper, Vice President for Renewable Aviation at Neste North America. “The FAA expects more than 1.3 billion Americans will board an aircraft in 2040. This milestone shows that Neste is ready to play its part to help the aviation industry plan for and create a sustainable future where we can keep these people flying with a much, much smaller carbon footprint.”
This pioneering success drives a change in the aviation industry to make the SAF supply chain more climate-friendly and further reduces the industry’s carbon footprint.
About Neste
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Our wide range of renewable products enable our customers to reduce climate emissions. We are the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the aviation and plastics industries. We are also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. We want to be a reliable partner with widely valued expertise, research, and sustainable operations. In 2019, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 15.8 billion. In 2020, Neste placed 3rd on the Global 100 list of the most sustainable companies in the world. Learn more about Neste and its mission to fight climate change at Neste.us. Follow Neste on twitter @Neste_NA and LinkedIn.
About San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 50 international cities on 41 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects non-stop with 86 cities in the U.S. on 12 domestic airlines. SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow us on www.twitter.com/flysfo and www.facebook.com/flysfo.