By Scout Nelson
The SAFFiRE Renewables groundbreaking ceremony took place in late August at Conestoga’s Arkalon Energy ethanol facility, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable aviation fuel production in Liberal, Kansas. The event was attended by officials from federal, state, and local governments, as well as representatives from various commodity groups.
Once operational, the new pilot plant will focus on large-scale commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, which will be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using the alcohol-to-jet pathway.
This innovative approach, which transforms corn stover into ethanol, is expected to play a crucial role in the aviation industry's green transition and bolster the U.S. agriculture and ethanol sectors.
SAFFiRE is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and Conestoga Energy to develop a facility aimed at turning agricultural residues into scalable biofuel.
This initiative is anticipated to create approximately 500 new jobs and generate $92 million in economic activity, significantly benefiting the local economy.
Tom Willis, CEO and president of Conestoga Energy Holdings, LLC, emphasized the importance of this project during the ceremony, stating, “This is a huge deal.” He recalled that nearly 19 years ago, the Arkalon site was merely a vacant field but has since evolved to produce over 2 billion gallons of renewable energy annually.
“This is transformational for agriculture and the value that it brings,” Willis noted. He further highlighted that while eastern Kansas is recognized for aircraft manufacturing, western Kansas will become known for fueling those aircraft.
Tom Nealon, CEO of SAFFiRE Renewables, expressed gratitude to attendees and emphasized the strategic advantages of the Liberal location, including rail access and local corn production. He discussed the aviation industry's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and the necessity of transitioning to sustainable aviation fuel.
“Southwest today burns about two and a half billion gallons of Jet A, and that will grow to three to three and a half billion gallons of Jet A,” Nealon stated. The demand for sustainable aviation fuel is expected to increase significantly over the next two decades, making projects like SAFFiRE critical.
The ethanol produced at SAFFiRE will be categorized as second-generation ethanol, derived from corn stover, with a target production of between 110 and 150 million gallons.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran also acknowledged the groundbreaking’s importance, reiterating how essential such a facility is for agricultural producers in southwest Kansas, thereby marking a new chapter in the region's agricultural and energy landscape
Photo Credit:photo-credit-vista-mipan
Categories: Kansas, Energy, General