Sustainable fuel for the decarbonisation of Business Aviation
UK, December 19. Rolls-Royce announces that business aviation customers worldwide are now able to sign up for its new SAFinity programme.
The flexible programme combines independently verified sustainability projects with a direct investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aiming to further support and accelerate the availability and use of SAF in the aviation industry.
SAFinity enables business aviation customers to operate flights in a more sustainable way. It is available for all business aircraft and engines from any manufacturer and is part of Rolls Royce’s ongoing ambition to play a leading role in enabling the sectors in which it operates to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
Rolls-Royce and Shell Aviation are working together on SAFinity to provide business aviation customers with cleaner energy solutions.
Frank Moesta, Senior Vice President Strategy & Future Programmes, Rolls Royce, said: “We are excited about leaving the pilot phase of our pioneering SAFinity service and opening it up to the wider market. We have worked hard over the last months to ensure a smooth customer experience, integrating STRIPE payment and making it as easy as possible for customers to fuel their journey to net zero.”
The teams from Rolls-Royce and Shell are also working on integrating Avelia, a blockchain-powered book and claim platform for SAF. It uses blockchain technology to ensure secured allocation of SAF’s environmental attributes to companies and operators after the fuel has been delivered into the fuel network.
Jan Toschka, President, Shell Aviation, said: “Unlocking SAF demand in the business aviation segment can help bolster overall demand signals, so we’re pleased to continue our work with Rolls-Royce and the SAFinity programme into the commercial phase. Integrating Avelia, our blockchain SAF platform, into the SAFinity offering showcases how digital technology can support this customer group to support their investment into SAF regardless of geographical or scale limitations.”
Rolls-Royce is committed to enabling the energy transition , having set out a plan to achieve net-zero emissions in aviation, shipping, and power generation by 2050. While the company is also working on novel technologies as long-term alternatives to fossil fuels, the use of SAF as a low-emission solution is essential to today’s decarbonisation of long-distance air travel.
In recent tests, Rolls-Royce demonstrated that current engines for large civil and business jet applications can operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option, laying the groundwork for moving this type of fuel towards certification. At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel. Unblended Sustainable Aviation Fuels have the potential to significantly reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
