Course Introduction
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility Project Planning Course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical guidance for planning, developing, implementing, and managing facilities that produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). As the aviation industry seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition toward lower-carbon energy sources, sustainable aviation fuel has emerged as an important component of aviation decarbonization strategies. This course examines the technical, financial, environmental, regulatory, and operational considerations involved in developing SAF production infrastructure. Participants will explore the complete project lifecycle, from feedstock assessment and preliminary feasibility studies to technology selection, engineering design, construction, commissioning, and commercial operations, with an emphasis on delivering projects that meet technical specifications and sustainability requirements.
Successful sustainable aviation fuel projects require coordinated planning across chemical engineering, renewable energy, feedstock supply chains, industrial infrastructure, and aviation fuel quality management. This course explains the major SAF production pathways, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), alcohol-to-jet (ATJ), Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and other emerging conversion technologies. Participants will learn how to assess the suitability and availability of feedstocks such as used cooking oil, waste fats, agricultural residues, forestry residues, municipal waste, and other eligible renewable resources. The training also addresses feedstock logistics, pretreatment requirements, process yields, hydrogen supply, utilities, water availability, and integration with existing refinery infrastructure to support technically sound and commercially realistic project plans.
Financial feasibility and investment planning are essential to the development of sustainable aviation fuel facilities. This course explores capital expenditure estimation, operating cost forecasting, production cost modelling, revenue projections, financing structures, and investment appraisal. Participants will examine cost drivers associated with feedstock procurement, conversion technology, hydrogen supply, process equipment, utilities, emissions management, storage tanks, blending facilities, and product transportation. The training also considers market demand, offtake agreements, aviation fuel pricing, policy incentives, certification costs, financing risks, and uncertainty in feedstock markets. By evaluating these factors together, project teams can develop credible business cases, compare production pathways, assess project bankability, and establish financial strategies that support long-term facility performance.
Engineering coordination and construction planning are central to the successful delivery of sustainable aviation fuel production infrastructure. This course examines process flow design, pretreatment units, conversion reactors, separation and purification systems, hydrogen infrastructure, heat integration, utilities, product storage, blending arrangements, and fuel distribution interfaces. Participants will learn how to coordinate process engineering, civil and structural works, mechanical equipment installation, electrical systems, instrumentation, automation, and environmental treatment infrastructure. The training also covers procurement planning, contractor management, construction sequencing, commissioning procedures, quality assurance, and project schedule control. Particular attention is given to process safety, hazardous area classification, fire protection, pressure systems, chemical handling, and the integration of sustainable aviation fuel facilities with refineries, airports, pipelines, and logistics networks.
Environmental performance, sustainability certification, and regulatory compliance are critical considerations throughout SAF facility development. The course examines lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, feedstock traceability, land-use change risks, biodiversity protection, water consumption, waste management, process emissions, and the responsible sourcing of renewable resources. Participants will explore sustainability certification frameworks, applicable aviation fuel specifications, environmental impact assessment, operating permits, chain-of-custody systems, and verification requirements under relevant regulatory schemes. Emerging developments involving power-to-liquid fuels, renewable hydrogen, carbon capture integration, advanced waste conversion, and evolving aviation decarbonization policies are also considered. These topics help project teams evaluate the environmental credibility of proposed facilities, anticipate regulatory changes, and incorporate measurable sustainability objectives into project planning and performance monitoring.
The course concludes by integrating technology selection, engineering design, financial management, procurement, environmental compliance, construction execution, and operational readiness into a comprehensive sustainable aviation fuel project management framework. Participants will examine project governance, work breakdown structures, integrated schedules, risk registers, quality plans, stakeholder coordination, commissioning milestones, and operational performance indicators. Practical project scenarios will help learners evaluate alternative production pathways, manage feedstock uncertainty, address equipment and construction delays, and coordinate stakeholders across the aviation fuel value chain. By completing the training, participants will be better equipped to contribute to feasibility studies, prepare project execution plans, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, oversee facility development, and support the delivery of technically reliable, commercially viable, and environmentally responsible sustainable aviation fuel production projects.
Duration
5 days
Who Should Attend
-
Project managers responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, or supervising sustainable aviation fuel production facilities and renewable fuels infrastructure projects.
-
Chemical and process engineers involved in conversion technology selection, process design, feedstock pretreatment, fuel upgrading, separation systems, and industrial process integration.
-
Mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation engineers responsible for equipment installation, utilities, control systems, rotating machinery, electrical distribution, and process automation.
-
Renewable energy professionals exploring sustainable aviation fuel production pathways, renewable hydrogen integration, industrial decarbonization, and low-carbon energy infrastructure.
-
Refinery and petrochemical professionals seeking to understand SAF production, existing refinery integration, fuel upgrading, blending operations, and renewable fuel processing.
-
Agricultural and forestry supply chain specialists involved in assessing feedstock availability, biomass collection, residue utilization, transportation, storage, and supplier coordination.
-
Environmental consultants and sustainability specialists responsible for lifecycle emissions assessment, environmental impact studies, feedstock traceability, and certification compliance.
-
Construction managers and industrial project supervisors coordinating civil works, equipment installation, contractor activities, commissioning, and project delivery schedules.
-
Procurement and supply chain professionals responsible for sourcing process equipment, catalysts, hydrogen systems, engineering services, storage infrastructure, and specialist contractors.
-
Financial analysts, investment officers, and project finance professionals evaluating capital requirements, production costs, financing structures, revenue forecasts, and investment risks.
-
Aviation fuel suppliers, airport operators, airline representatives, and fuel logistics professionals interested in SAF production, storage, blending, distribution, and offtake arrangements.
-
Regulatory personnel and government officials involved in renewable fuel policy, industrial permitting, aviation decarbonization, sustainability standards, and environmental compliance.
-
Health, safety, and environmental officers responsible for process safety, hazardous material management, fire protection, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness.
-
Quality assurance and laboratory professionals involved in fuel testing, product specifications, feedstock verification, process quality control, and certification documentation.
-
Consultants, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking structured knowledge of sustainable aviation fuel facility planning, renewable fuels development, and industrial project management.
Course Objectives
-
Develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainable aviation fuel technologies, production pathways, facility components, project development stages, and their contribution to aviation decarbonization.
-
Evaluate feedstock options using availability, quality, sustainability, logistics, competition for resources, conversion suitability, and long-term supply security considerations.
-
Prepare feasibility studies integrating production capacity, technology selection, process yields, infrastructure requirements, operating costs, market demand, and commercial viability.
-
Coordinate process engineering and facility design requirements involving feedstock pretreatment, conversion units, fuel upgrading, hydrogen supply, utilities, storage, and distribution infrastructure.
-
Develop realistic project schedules, procurement plans, resource allocations, construction sequences, commissioning activities, and implementation strategies for SAF facilities.
-
Apply capital budgeting, production cost modelling, cash flow forecasting, investment appraisal, sensitivity analysis, and scenario planning to strengthen project financial decisions.
-
Identify and manage technical, commercial, feedstock, environmental, regulatory, construction, and operational risks using structured risk registers and mitigation measures.
-
Integrate lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment, sustainable feedstock sourcing, traceability, certification, waste management, and environmental protection into project planning.
-
Establish quality assurance, process safety, commissioning, fuel testing, operational readiness, and performance monitoring procedures for sustainable aviation fuel facilities.
-
Evaluate emerging SAF technologies, renewable hydrogen integration, power-to-liquid production, carbon capture opportunities, and evolving aviation fuel sustainability requirements.
Comprehensive Course Outline
Module 1: Fundamentals of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
-
Introduction to sustainable aviation fuel, aviation decarbonization objectives, industry development trends, fuel demand, and the role of SAF in reducing lifecycle emissions.
-
Examination of major production pathways, including HEFA, alcohol-to-jet, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and emerging synthetic fuel technologies.
-
Comparison of feedstock conversion routes, fuel yields, technical maturity, infrastructure requirements, production economics, and environmental performance considerations.
-
Definition of project scope, production targets, stakeholder responsibilities, governance structures, development phases, and key implementation milestones.
Module 2: Feedstock Assessment and Project Feasibility
-
Evaluation of used cooking oil, waste fats, agricultural residues, forestry residues, municipal waste, alcohol intermediates, and other potential SAF feedstocks.
-
Assessment of feedstock availability, quality variability, collection systems, pretreatment requirements, competing uses, transportation distances, and supply chain resilience.
-
Evaluation of site suitability, utility availability, industrial zoning, water requirements, hydrogen access, transport infrastructure, and proximity to refineries or airports.
-
Preparation of feasibility studies integrating preliminary engineering, production assumptions, feedstock forecasts, environmental constraints, financial estimates, and implementation recommendations.
Module 3: SAF Process Engineering and Technology Selection
-
Development of process flow diagrams covering feedstock reception, pretreatment, conversion, upgrading, separation, purification, and product quality control.
-
Evaluation of HEFA processing, alcohol-to-jet conversion, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and other applicable production pathways based on feedstock compatibility and project objectives.
-
Assessment of hydrogen requirements, catalyst selection, process heat integration, utility consumption, equipment configuration, and expected conversion efficiencies.
-
Coordination of process simulations, engineering specifications, design reviews, equipment sizing, constructability assessments, and technology vendor interfaces.
Module 4: Facility Infrastructure and Engineering Integration
-
Planning of facility layouts incorporating process units, storage tanks, loading facilities, utility systems, laboratories, control rooms, maintenance areas, and emergency access routes.
-
Coordination of civil and structural works, mechanical equipment, electrical distribution, instrumentation, automation, piping networks, and industrial control systems.
-
Assessment of hydrogen supply infrastructure, renewable electricity requirements, water treatment, wastewater management, steam generation, cooling systems, and energy integration opportunities.
-
Management of design documentation, technical submittals, engineering interfaces, hazardous area classification, fire protection requirements, and design change procedures.
Module 5: Financial Feasibility and Investment Management
-
Estimation of capital expenditure for land, process equipment, pretreatment systems, conversion units, storage infrastructure, utilities, construction, and commissioning.
-
Forecasting of operating expenses involving feedstock procurement, hydrogen, electricity, catalysts, chemicals, labor, maintenance, transportation, and certification.
-
Evaluation of revenue streams, SAF offtake agreements, product pricing, applicable incentives, financing structures, market demand, and investment requirements.
-
Application of net present value, internal rate of return, payback period, sensitivity analysis, and scenario modelling to assess financial viability and investment uncertainty.
Module 6: Procurement, Contracting, and Supply Chain Management
-
Development of procurement strategies, technical specifications, tender documents, supplier qualification requirements, equipment evaluation criteria, and purchasing schedules.
-
Assessment of process technology providers, equipment manufacturers, catalyst suppliers, engineering contractors, hydrogen providers, and specialist service companies.
-
Planning of feedstock sourcing agreements, transportation arrangements, storage capacity, supplier diversification, inventory management, and supply continuity measures.
-
Administration of engineering, procurement, and construction contracts, delivery milestones, warranties, variation orders, supplier performance, and contract risk controls.
Module 7: Construction Management and Project Execution
-
Preparation of work breakdown structures, integrated project schedules, construction packages, resource allocation plans, milestone tracking, and progress reporting procedures.
-
Coordination of civil works, foundations, process equipment installation, piping, electrical systems, instrumentation, storage facilities, and utility infrastructure.
-
Management of contractor interfaces, equipment delivery, heavy lifting, factory acceptance testing, site installation inspections, and construction quality assurance.
-
Control of schedule delays, budget variations, design changes, procurement constraints, construction risks, and commissioning dependencies affecting project completion.
Module 8: Environmental Sustainability, Certification, and Process Safety
-
Assessment of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, feedstock sustainability, land-use change risks, biodiversity impacts, water consumption, and resource efficiency.
-
Development of feedstock traceability systems, chain-of-custody procedures, sustainability documentation, certification plans, and verification arrangements under applicable frameworks.
-
Planning of emissions control, wastewater treatment, chemical management, waste reduction, spill prevention, environmental monitoring, and pollution control measures.
-
Management of process hazards involving flammable fuels, hydrogen, high temperatures, pressure systems, hazardous chemicals, fire protection, and emergency response procedures.
Module 9: Commissioning, Fuel Quality, and Operational Readiness
-
Development of commissioning plans covering equipment inspections, utility verification, control system testing, process safety checks, and staged plant startup.
-
Establishment of fuel quality management procedures addressing applicable aviation fuel specifications, laboratory testing, product consistency, blending requirements, and acceptance criteria.
-
Planning of operational readiness, workforce training, preventive maintenance, spare parts management, process monitoring, and facility performance reporting.
-
Preparation of operating manuals, as-built drawings, equipment registers, commissioning records, certification documentation, warranties, and formal handover packages.
Module 10: Emerging SAF Technologies and Future Industry Developments
-
Examination of power-to-liquid pathways using renewable electricity, green hydrogen, and captured carbon dioxide to produce synthetic aviation fuels.
-
Evaluation of renewable hydrogen integration, carbon capture technologies, advanced feedstock conversion, process electrification, and opportunities to reduce lifecycle emissions.
-
Assessment of digital twins, predictive maintenance, process automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics for improving production efficiency and facility reliability.
-
Development of future-focused strategies addressing evolving aviation fuel standards, regulatory incentives, global SAF demand, supply chain resilience, and sustainable industrial growth.
Training Approach
This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.
Tailor-Made Course
This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808
Training Venue
The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.
Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant
Certification
Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.
Airport Pickup and Accommodation
Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808
Terms of Payment:
Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.
