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PIT became the first airport in the world to be completely powered by natural gas and solar energy in summer 2021 as part of its microgrid.
Pittsburgh International Airport’s (PIT) efforts to become the first major U.S. airport to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on-site will help the Pennsylvania airport “earn the right to grow,” according to Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis.
The airport in May announced plans for two facilities to be built on its 8,800-acre property. One is being advanced by KeyState Energy and natural gas producer CNX Resources, while a second is being undertaken by Scandinavian company SkyClean.
Cassotis told Aviation Week that the projects are crucial to accelerating the adoption of cleaner and greener fuels at the airport, helping the industry to meet its net zero targets by 2050. PIT will also be able to export SAF thanks to its proximity to the Ohio River, allowing for transportation to other highly populated airport communities that lack space for their own production facilities.
“We want to be part of the solution,” Cassotis said. “These projects will generate economic development opportunities and job creation for the region, while also supporting the industry through the provision of SAF. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate various technologies that could be utilized in different markets worldwide.”
KeyState and CNX hope to construct a $1.5 billion facility capable of producing up to 68,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually or up to 70 million gal. of SAF, or a combination of the two. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with PIT—although the project will only proceed if the Biden administration enables the use of fugitive methane from coal mines to qualify for a hydrogen production tax credit.
KeyState will serve as the developer and aims to secure project financing, while CNX will provide feedstock services and other technical engineering support. The airport will offer strategic advisory planning and industry expertise.
Meanwhile, SkyClean is in the process of signing a land lease agreement to build an SAF production facility, capable of producing 25 million gal. of unblended SAF annually with future production expansion up to 75 million gal. The company is working on the project with Swedish Biofuels and its technology alliance partner KBR, which have developed a process that produces a fully fungible jet fuel from a variety of feedstocks.
“If you consider the jobs created, not only during the construction phase but also through ongoing maintenance, the spinoff induced economic benefits—both direct and indirect—are significant,” Cassotis said. “We hope this will attract more investment into the region for clean energy pathways, which is our primary goal.”
PIT became the first airport in the world to be completely powered by natural gas and solar energy in summer 2021 as part of its microgrid. The power generated at PIT is the primary supply for the entire airport, including the terminals and airfield. Power is generated in part through natural gas wells and 9,360 solar panels.
“With its storied history of innovation, reinvention and creativity, particularly for the environment and energy, the world can once again look to Pittsburgh as a trailblazer as we develop this vital resource for our industry,” Cassotis said.
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