This study compares the short-term economic feasibility of six conversion pathways for renewable jet fuel (RJF) production. The assessment combines (i) a harmonized techno-economic analysis of conversion pathways expected to be certifi ed for use in commercial aviation by 2020, (ii) a pioneer plant analysis taking into account technological immaturity, and (iii) a quantifi ed assessment of the merits of co-producing RJF alongside existing European supply chains in the pulp, wheat ethanol, and beet sugar industries. None of the pathways assessed are able to reach price parity with petroleum-derived jet fuel in the short term. The pioneer plant analysis suggests that the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway is currently the best option; the technology achieves the lowest minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of 29.3 € GJ -1 (1289 € t -1 ) and the technology is deployed on commercial scale already. In the short term, n t h plant analysis shows hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and pyrolysis emerging as promising alternatives, yielding MFSPs of 21.4 € GJ -1 (939 € t -1 ) and 30.2 € GJ -1 (1326 € t -1 ), respectively. The pioneer plant analysis shows considerable MFSP increases for producing drop-in fuels using HTL and pyrolysis as both technologies are relatively immature. Hence, further RD&D efforts into these pathways are recommended. Co-production strategies decrease the MFSP by 4-8% compared to greenfi eld production. Integration of process units and material and energy fl ows is expected to lead to further cost reductions. As such, co-production can be a particularly useful strategy to progress emerging technologies to commercial scale.

Aviation is responsible for an increasing share of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. Decarbonization to 2050 is expected to rely on renewable jet fuel (RJF) derived from biomass, but this represents a radical departure from the existing regime of petroleum-based fuels. Increased market deployment will require signifi cant cost reductions, alongside adaptation of existing supply chains and infrastructure. This paper maps development and manufacturing efforts for six RJF production pathways expected to reach commercialization in the next 5-10 years. A Rapid Evidence Assessment was conducted to evaluate the technological and commercial maturity of each pathway and progress toward international certifi cation, using the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative's Fuel Readiness Level (FRL) framework. Planned and operational facilities have been cataloged alongside partnerships with the aviation industry. Policy and economic factors likely to affect future development and deployment are considered. Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (FRL 9) is the most developed pathway. It is ASTM certifi ed, has fuelled the majority of RJF fl ights to date, and is produced at three commercial-scale facilities. Fischer-Tropsch derived fuels are moving toward the start-up of fi rst commercial facilities (FRL 7 and 8), although widespread deployment seems unlikely under current market conditions. The Direct Sugars to Hydrocarbons conversion pathway (FRL 5-7) is being championed by Amyris and Total in Brazil, but has yet to be demonstrated at scale. Other pathways are in the demonstration and pilot phases (FRL 4-6). Despite growing interest in RJF, demand and production volumes remain negligible. Development of supportive policy is likely to be critical to future deployment.

Abstract:This paper investigates the political and institutional factors that have influenced the success of the Senegalese Rural Electrification Action Plan (Plan d'Action Sénégalais d 'Électrification Rurale, PASER). PASER is of interest because its innovative design attracted extensive offers of finance from donors and independent power providers, however it has had limited effect on electrification levels. This paper examines PASER's progress and problems in detail, with the aim of informing rural electrification policy internationally.An extensive literature review was combined with 26 semi-structured stakeholder interviews, to produce a snapshot of the Plan's status after its first decade of operation. PASER's experiences are compared with other reform-based rural electrification initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa.PASER has faced significant institutional and political barriers, with delays arising from organisational opposition, inconsistent ministerial support, protracted consultations and the inherent challenges of implementing an innovative policy framework in a country with limited institutional capacity. The development of human and institutional capacity has been compromised by inconsistent political commitment. Such experiences mirror those of electrification initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa. Whilst PASER's successes in garnering external support and fundraising are noteworthy and won praise from early reviews, in terms of delivery the Plan has failed to resolve common institutional barriers.

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