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Methodological framework for Life Cycle Assessment of sustainable aviation (SA) systems
Pimchanok Su-Ungkavatin1, Ligia Tiruta-Barna1, Lorie Hamelin1
1TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 4, 2023
Summary
A new framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enables transparent comparison of sustainable aviation fuels, electric, and hydrogen systems. It addresses challenges like hybridization and non-CO2 emissions for future aviation environmental performance evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Sustainable Energy Systems
Background:
- Commercial aviation faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact.
- Emerging sustainable aviation technologies (biofuels, electrofuels, electric, hydrogen) require standardized evaluation methods.
- Existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies lack comprehensive comparability for these diverse systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a comprehensive and transparent framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of emerging commercial aviation systems.
- To ensure comparability in evaluating the environmental performance of biofuels, electrofuels, electric, and hydrogen-powered aviation.
- To provide a guideline for LCA practitioners assessing future aviation energy sources.
Main Methods:
- Defined projected global revenue passenger kilometer (RPK) as the functional unit for near-term (2035) and long-term (2045) timeframes.
- Developed a methodology to translate RPK into energy requirements for liquid and electric aviation systems.
- Established generic system boundaries encompassing feedstock, conversion, manufacturing, operation, infrastructure, and end-of-life activities, including specific considerations for biofuel types and resource displacement.
Main Results:
- The framework integrates key activities across four emerging aviation systems: biofuels, electrofuels, electric, and hydrogen.
- It incorporates methodologies to address hybridization, mass penalties, and non-CO2 tailpipe emissions, often overlooked in current LCAs.
- Acknowledges uncertainties related to future scientific advances in areas like high-altitude emissions and new aircraft configurations.
Conclusions:
- The proposed LCA framework enhances transparency and comparability for evaluating the environmental performance of next-generation aviation technologies.
- It offers a structured approach to account for complex factors such as resource constraints, co-product management, and system-specific operational impacts.
- This guideline is crucial for informed decision-making and policy development in the transition towards sustainable aviation.
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