Engineers led by the University of Sheffield have developed a process to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using concentrated solar energy, capturing CO2 from the air and combining it with hydrogen. This method reduces reliance on used cooking oil, a key feedstock limitation for current SAF production.
Published on March 30, 2026, in Nature Communications, the study improves Direct Air Capture and CO2 Utilization (DACCU) by replacing fossil fuel heating with solar power via a hydrogen-fluidised calciner. This reactor uses mirrors to focus sunlight for the intense heat required in chemical reactions, streamlining production and eliminating onsite fossil fuel combustion.
Professor Meihong Wang, who led the research with East China University of Science and Technology collaborators, stated: “The process we have proposed has the potential to address key challenges in scaling up SAF. It’s a renewable energy-powered way of capturing CO2 from air and making SAF that is cost-effective and can be scaled to industrial levels.”
Computer modeling shows industrial scalability, with projected costs at $4.62 per kg versus $5.60 per kg for existing DACCU pathways. Optimal locations for large-scale plants include the USA, Chile, Spain, South Africa, and China, due to high sunlight, low hydrogen costs, and available land.
While commercial aircraft can use SAF blends, industrial production infrastructure remains underdeveloped. This solar-driven approach supports circular economy principles and lower electricity use.