ABB, Cap Clean Energy team up to develop SAF facilities in Canada

Electrification and automation technology provider ABB announced that it has signed an agreement with Canadian biofuel developer Cap Clean Energy to collaborate on development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production sites in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Cap Clean Energy is planning to produce SAF thorough non-combustion conversion of cereal crop by-product feedstocks that do not compete with food.

The two firms are also planning to incorporate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to reduce CO2 emissions.

“We are proud to collaborate with Cap Clean Energy and realise our joint vision of driving scale on sustainable fuels as part of the energy transition,” said Brandon Spencer, president, ABB Energy Industries. “The potential for SAF has never been greater, and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to supporting a low-carbon future with innovative clean technology.”

Currently SAF accounts for less than 0.1% of all aviation fuels consumed, so to increase its use to 10% by 2030, in line with the Net Zero Emissions Scenario, investment in capacity needs to be ramped up alongside supportive policies.

Cap Clean Energy said its biofuel facilities will be designed as modular systems capable of rapid production scale-up.

“We are delighted to collaborate with ABB, which has a long history of delivering integrated automation, electrical and digital technology that drives operational efficiency,” said Steve Polvi, CEO, Cap Clean Energy. “Together, we will work on enabling the production and delivery of SAF and RD into strategic North American markets, supporting society with more sustainable energy and allowing the aviation industry to achieve its net zero goals.”