United, Tallgrass, Green Plains form JV to develop SAF technology

United Airlines, Tallgrass and Green Plains announced a new joint venture – Blue Blade Energy – to develop and commercialise a novel sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology that uses ethanol as its feedstock.

"If the technology is successful, Blue Blade is expected to proceed with the construction of a pilot facility in 2024, followed by a full-scale facility that could begin commercial operations by 2028. The offtake agreement could provide for enough SAF to fly more than 50,000 flights annually between United's hub airports in Chicago and Denver," says a release from United.

Blue Blade's new SAF technology was developed by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a leading centre for technological innovation in sustainable energy, the release added. SAF, which uses non-petroleum feedstock, is a low-carbon alternative to traditional jet fuel that offers up to 85 percent lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

"The production and use of SAF is the most effective and scalable tool the airline industry has to reduce carbon emissions and United continues to lead the way," says Michael Leskinen, President, United Airlines Ventures. "This new joint venture includes two expert collaborators that have the experience to construct and operate large-scale infrastructure, as well as the feedstock supply necessary for success. Once operational, Blue Blade Energy has the potential to create United's largest source of SAF providing up to 135 million gallons of fuel annually."

Under the collaborative approach:
*Tallgrass will manage research and development of the technology including pilot plant development, and will manage the construction of the production facility;
*Green Plains will supply the low-carbon ethanol feedstock, and use its ethanol industry expertise to manage operations once the pilot facility is constructed; and
*United will assist with SAF development, fuel certification and into-wing logistics, and has also agreed to purchase up to 2.7 billion gallons of SAF produced from the joint venture.

"At Tallgrass, we are striving to innovate how we deliver the energy that powers our nation and enables our quality of life," says Alison Nelson, Vice President, Business Development, Tallgrass. "Air travel uniquely connects people and improves lives, and the advancement of this novel SAF technology presents a meaningful opportunity to reduce emissions from aviation. We are excited to partner with industry leaders United Airlines and Green Plains on this initiative."

Todd Becker, President and CEO, Green Plains adds: "Our transformation to a true decarbonised biorefinery model has positioned Green Plains to help our customers and partners reduce the carbon intensity of their products by producing low-carbon proteins, oils, sugars and now decarbonized ethanol to be used in SAF. This partnership with world class organisations like United Airlines and Tallgrass shows the value creation that is possible with our low-carbon platform. The potential impact of this project is a game changer for U.S. agriculture, aligning a strong farm economy and a robust aviation transport industry focused on decarbonising our skies."

If the technology is commercialised, the location of Blue Blade's initial plant would allow easy access to low-carbon feedstock from Green Plains' Midwest ethanol production facilities. While the initial SAF facility intends to use ethanol, the technology has the capability to work with any alcohol-based feedstock as its fuel source, the release added.