In the July newsletter, we spoke about the first phase of the study “Synergies between the decarbonization goals of the maritime and aviation sectors” by Cenergia Lab (COPPE-UFRJ), which addresses the synergies of the production of low carbon fuels for both sectors. In this study, the different aspects of the technological routes that could co-produce fuels were evaluated. Now, a second webinar presents the results of the second phase, with Roberto Schaeffer, one of those responsible for the study, alongside Alexandre Szklo. It sought to assess the synergies through the integrated analysis models.

“We are looking here at the goals of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the goals of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the decarbonization of the shipping sector and the international aviation sector. We understand that there is a concern about climate change and there is the 2015 Paris Agreement, where around 192 global economies agreed to goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Because aviation and international shipping do not form part of the goals of the countries, there is this concern but there are the goals of IMO and IATA. This project aims to comply with these goals and how it can lead to synergies in the type of fuel that can be chosen for the two sectors. In the first phase, we looked at vegetable oils, microalgae, sugarcane, corn, other biomasses, the possibility of electrofuels and the technologies required to convert these carbon and hydrogen sources into fuels that are appropriate for shipping and/or aviation,” explains Schaeffer.

In the second phase, the project shows the use of an integrated model that has been developed by Cenergia Lab for almost twenty years. It observes not only shipping and aviation, but also all the demands for the goods and services of the Brazilian economy from now up to 2050. This includes energy consumption, the consequent emissions from this production, the demand for petrochemicals, agricultural products and water, among others. The model represents routes of fossil and non-fossil fuels. It can produce types of derivatives for shipping and aviation, as well as vegetable oils, ethanol, biomass, residues and hydrogen routes, from which it is possible to assemble the fuels that are required for these two sectors. Watch the webinar here!