Assessing a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain from winter canola and its carbon intensity considering feedstock yield variations

K. Bolakhe; T.E. Yu; V.R. Sykes; S.A. Smith; C.N. Boyer

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2026.125291

Back

Assessing a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain from winter canola and its carbon intensity considering feedstock yield variations

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Assessing a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain from winter canola and its carbon intensity considering feedstock yield variations

K. Bolakhe, T.E. Yu, V.R. Sykes, S.A. Smith and C.N. Boyer

Renewable energy, Vol.261, p.125291

04/01/2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2026.125291

Files and links (1)

pdf

01-j.renene.2026.125291_pub8.55 MBDownload View

Open Access

Abstract

Carbon intensity

Stochastic optimization

Sustainable aviation fuel

Winter canola

Yield uncertainty

Replacing conventional aviation fuel (CAF) with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been suggested as a vital means to decarbonize the aviation industry. We considered winter canola a feedstock for SAF production through the hydro-processed esters and fatty acids pathway in the Southeast United States. We incorporated feedstock yield variations in a stochastic mixed-integer linear programming model to optimize the SAF supply chain. Results suggest the potential SAF production for Nashville International Airport (BNA), from an existing oil extraction mill and 0.19 million hectares (ha) of winter canola cultivation, range from 129 million liters yearly (MLY) to 246 MLY with a 90 % likelihood. With additional investment and expanded winter canola cultivation to 0.61 million ha, the expected SAF supply to BNA could increase to 348 MLY. An additional 212 MLY can be supplied to Memphis International Airport. After considering the co-product revenues, the expected breakeven cost for SAF is $1.1 per liter. The SAF's carbon intensity falls into the range from 31 g of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of fuel (g CO2e MJ−1) to 43 g CO2e MJ−1, with 90 % probability, which is at least 50 % lower than CAF.

Metrics

1 Record Views

Details

Title: Assessing a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain from winter canola and its carbon intensity considering feedstock yield variations
Creators: K. Bolakhe - University of Tennessee at Knoxville
T.E. Yu - University of Tennessee at Knoxville
V.R. Sykes - University of Tennessee at Knoxville
S.A. Smith - Washington State University, School of Food Science
C.N. Boyer - University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Publication Details: Renewable energy, Vol.261, p.125291
Academic Unit: Alternative Jet Fuel
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Grants: 13-C-AJFE-UTENN-016, Federal Aviation Administration (United States, Washington) - FAA
Grant note: Federal Aviation Administration Office of Environment and Energy
Identifiers: 99901364591001842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article