The Fuel for Thought Podcast

For the first time ever, we dedicate an entire SAF Special to exploring the financial aspects of getting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects off the ground. What are the challenges and opportunities in financing in SAF projects? And what are the best strategies for reaching final investment decision (FID)? Sylvain and Mikala delve into these questions (and many more!) with the assistance of IFC – International Finance Corporation. They’ll talk to IFC’s Ladan Pazhouhandeh, Senior Investment Officer and Kelly H. Johnson, Global Sector Lead in Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Topsoe’s own Lucas Bossard, Head of Public-Private Partnerships. 

Get ready for a much-needed deep dive into the science and chemistry of jet fuels to understand their impact! Since airplanes contribute to global warming through emissions of CO2 and soot particles from their jet fuel combustion, our understanding of jet fuel is crucial for our efforts to decarbonize aviation. Sylvain is joined by Patrick LeClercq, Head of Department Multiphase Flows and Alternative Fuels, at German Aerospace Center (DLR) to delve into the composition and combustion of jet fuel and explore how sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with lower aromatic content help reduce emissions from air travel. 

Decarbonization is driving us towards feedstocks that are completely different from the fossil feedstocks, we’ve spent decades studying. To fully understand the complexity of renewable feedstocks, and optimize their use in renewable fuels production, we must turn to analytical chemistry. In this episode, we uncover the challenges and techniques for analyzing renewable feedstocks, like fatty acids, waste oil and fats, and more advanced options such as pyrolysis oils and hydrothermal liquefaction products. Settle in for a comprehensive view from both academia and industry as we’re joined by two special guests: Jan Christensen, Professor in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, and Karina Knudsmark Sjøholm, Principal Scientist at Topsoe.

When it comes to the production of renewable fuels, Latin America is a region filled with potential. With an abundance of easily accessible renewable resources like wind, sun, and biomass waste, and hosting well-advanced refineries and cost-competitive production opportunities, Latin America has the potential to become a key contributor to the global renewable fuels market. In this episode, we talk to Juan Pablo Freijo, founder and CEO of Sempen, and an expert in Latin America’s energy transition. We'll explore the current state of renewable fuels production in Latin America and discuss their future plans. 

Step into the fascinating world of catalysts with us! Far from being mere commodities or utilities, catalysts are highly technological tools that are pivotal for renewable fuels production. In this episode, Sylvain dives deep into the role of catalysts in renewables with the help from no less than three Topsoe experts: Marie Grill, Principal Scientist for biobased chemicals, Fie Hallkvist Wilbek, Senior Business Development Manager in Digitalization, and Ignacio Fabian Costa, Licensing Manager for low-carbon fuel technologies. Together, they delve into the comprehensive A-Z of catalysts, discuss strategies for their optimal utilization, and highlight the crucial role of catalysts in renewable fuels production.

We'll be peering into our crystal ball to explore which feedstocks will be used to produce renewable fuels in the future. Joined by Alastair Blanchard, Director for SAF at the ICF Consultancy, we’ll address a wide range of questions surrounding renewable feedstocks, including biogenic feedstocks and feedstocks for e-fuels. Are feedstocks truly the biggest bottleneck? What are the primary risks associated with feedstocks? And are regulations too strict or too moderate when it comes to feedstocks?

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is essential in comprehensively assessing the full environmental and social impacts of transportation fuels. This contrasts with many compliance models and regulations today which emphasize greenhouse gases alone – an approach which can result in ‘carbon tunnel vision’, where other crucial factors are neglected. Examining each step in the fuel’s life cycle – from cradle-to-grave – provides a complete overview of its true impacts.

In this episode, Sylvain is joined by Tom Berg, Policy and Sustainability Manager at SkyNRG, and Kenneth Poucher, Head of Sustainability at Topsoe to dive deep into LCA and sustainability in transportation fuels.

The landscape of renewable fuels has changed significantly since we wrapped up season four. But one thing remains the same: renewable fuels continue to power ahead. Mikala and Sylvain are joined by their Topsoe colleague, Milica Folic, for a discussion of the main developments across the industry within the past year. They will cover the currently dominating fuel types and feedstocks, the most recent legislative changes, and an outlook on upcoming hot topics for the next year.

Bill Gates established Breakthrough Energy in 2015 with the aim of funding technologies that can accelerate the clean energy transition and build a net-zero emissions future. Sylvain is joined by Mariano Berkenwald, Senior Associate at Breakthrough Energy, to discuss which efforts are needed to accelerate the deployment of at-scale production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). They touch upon the need for more risk-tolerant capital, long-term off-take agreements with airlines, technologies that can scale globally, and a general acceptance that the era of inexpensive flights may be coming to an end.

Jet engine producer, GE Aerospace, is supporting net-zero emissions in aviation by exploring disruptive designs for future engines. At the same time, they consider SAF an important measure for decarbonizing today, and are pushing for a standard that allows an increase in blend levels from 50% to 100%. Jeff Shaknaitis, Customer Sustainability Leader, and Brice Dally, Senior Staff Engineer for Sustainable Fuels, from GE Aerospace, join Sylvain to explain how they see the role of SAF in future aviation, and how they make sure it's compatible and safe to use with GE Aerospace’s current and future engines.