Alternative Fuels Journey to Support Decarbonization in the Aviation Industry
Julia Arnone, Manager of Planning Services
PIT Microgrid
PIT has created a resilient energy source for nonstop operations
The first airport to generate its own power for its entire campus including the airfield, terminals and support buildings
Off-the-grid resiliency and redundancy 20 MW energy plant
- Five natural gas fired generators Using natural gas mined onsite
3 MW solar facility sits on 8 acres with 10k solar panels
Microgrid Power
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The microgrid supports PIT’s sustainability goals
Investment in cleaner and greener electricity
6,800 metric tons reduction in CO2 emissions since commissioning
Solar facility is constructed on a closed landfill – repurposing assets Sustainability is enhanced by lower electricity rates
Capable of introducing hydrogen as a fuel source
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Privileged and Confidential
Hydrogen
Distributed hydrogen production using ceramic membrane technology
PIT hydrogen Use Cases
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PIT has a full spectrum
of hydrogen use
cases
Alternative Fuels
SAF
Fuel Cells
Energy
Microgrid
Heating/Cooling
Transport
Ground Support
Passenger Vehicles
Logistical Costs
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Distributed hydrogen production overcomes transportation and storage cost challenges
Hydrogen transportation costs are 7x-8x the production costs
Scaling-down Inefficiencies
Traditional scale-down in production yields less-than-expected cost reductions
Accessibility Issues
Smaller local customers are discouraged by hydrogen accessibility and cost
Innovative ceramic membrane use allowed PIT to commission a scalable deployment system
Improves Efficiency
Reduces transportation costs
Versatile Production Range
Permits small batch production for demand-driven hydrogen supply (1,500 kg-180,000
kg of hydrogen/day)
Streamlines Operations
Cuts cost and complexity with simplified processes
and reduced storage and transport needs
Our partner completed phase 1: Five milestones towards commercialization of distributed hydrogen production
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Milestone 1
Milestone 2
Milestone 3
Milestone 4
Milestone 5
May
2023
Objective: Identify a hydrogen separation process operated at a lower temperature than the traditional SMR process
Objective: Design a benchtop system to demonstrate hydrogen separation with a 1 kg/day production rate
Objective: Develop operating parameters for design and economic analysis
Objective: Refine system design and conduct economic analysis, including capital and operating cost of full-scale production
Objective: Demonstrate the operation of the benchtop system producing
1 kg-hydrogen/day
April
2022
Pre-investment due diligence
November
2023
September
2023
July
2023
December
2023
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Proprietary technology allows ceramic membranes to be used in cost efficient solutions for the aviation industry
Along with production efficiencies, this process will produce
Blue Hydrogen through carbon capture and reuse
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Streamline Processes
Less complex than traditional hydrogen separation
Manage Energy Efficiency
From 900-degree Celsius
to 550-degree Celsius.
(40% reduction in operating temperature)
Blue Hydrogen: Repurpose Carbon
High-temperature Carbon Dioxide capture for Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) production, adding revenue while reducing emissions by ~70%.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiatives at PIT
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PIT is investing in the pathway to a cleaner, greener future through on-site SAF production and distribution
Lower Cost
Reduced transportation cost
On-site production and blending
Resilient Supply
Supply chain stability
Steady weather for fewer disruptions
Low natural disaster-prone region
Access to Feedstock
Proximity to all available feedstocks including ethanol, coal mine methane, and other ingredients
Export Connectivity
Barge
Rail
Pipeline
Access
Natural gas
Fuel storage & tanks
Innovative leadership
Like-minded partners
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PIT has invested into scaling SAF for distribution across the Eastern United States with three different approaches to fulfill all aviation fuel needs
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ATJ: Alcohol-to-Jet facility
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- Fully CORSIA and ASTM/ISTM certified Full Production at PIT by 2027
CMM: Coal mine methane recapture used in Fischer-Tropsch process
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Large scalability with low cost Pending CORSIA and ASTM/ISTM certification
HTR: Hydrothermal Liquefaction Refining facility using oilseeds or waste oils feedstock
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- Potentially funded via US Federal Grant program
CORSIA eligible, ASTM/ISTM certification pending production
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In an industry trailing behind
on creating viable solutions, The
U.S. Government has the vision and resources to make CHANGE…
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The federal government is accelerating domestic production through funding and incentives
White House Marquee Energy Investment will provide up to USD $3/kg tax Credit with hydrogen
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- Under the Inflation Reduction Act, tax credits increase as GHG emissions decrease, up to USD $3/kg
The Department of Energy views hydrogen as “cross-cutting technology” expanding the scope of funding streams
Three U.S. agencies are dedicated to accelerating SAF, offering grants for research, development, demonstration and deployment.
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- The U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Transportation and
U.S. Department of Agriculture made a government-wide commitment to scale up the production of SAF to 35 billion gallons* per year by
2050
Through the SAF Grant Challenge DOE, DOT and USDA will offer grants to help meet a goal of 3 billion gallons* per year by 2030
Billions in SAF Incentives and credits are on the table now
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Despite the urgency, there continues to be an insufficient supply
even at modest 10% blending levels, resulting in premium prices
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Economic
-High production costs
-Market viability
-Investment requirements
Regulatory
-Standardization
-Policy inconsistency
-Regulatory uncertainty
Environmental
-Lifecycle emissions
-Biodiversity & land use
-Resource competition
The global aviation industry is facing significant challenges for accelerated
SAF production
Technical
-Production efficiency
-Feedstock limitation
-Technology maturity
Logistical
-Distribution infrastructure
-Storage and handling
-Integration with existing supply chains
Market
-Awareness & acceptance
-Willingness to pay premium
-Stakeholder collaboration
Pittsburgh's location enables it to meet fuel needs of the Eastern US
PITTSBURGH
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SAF produced at PIT can be delivered throughout the Northeast via the existing infrastructure of pipeline, barge,
and rail
PIT is the 8th largest
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U.S. airport by land mass with
8,800 acres positioned atop one of the largest
natural gas deposits in the U.S.
Three parallel and one cross-wind runway
Conclusion
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The challenge of decarbonizing global aviation will take collaboration from the entire ecosystem
The U.S. has stepped in to lead that challenge
PIT is well positioned to be a leading U.S. Government partner
Thank You
The future of travel is here and it’s focused on you.
Julia Arnone
Manager, Planning Services