CCALS Partner Initiatives
Sustainable Biofuels & Biomass
Background
For more than a decade, Virginia, through the Department of Aviation, has invested in understanding whether Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be produced using Virginia forestry resources. Led by the University of Virginia and supported by CCALS and industry partners, this work established Virginia as an early analytical leader in feedstock assessment, production modeling, supply chain analysis, and transportation logistics. Since this work began, the policy environment has evolved through Executive Order 5, Executive Directive 2 establishing the Virginia Wood Council, development of the 2026 Virginia Energy Plan, FAA FAST-SAF, USDA priorities, and legislative interest in SAF. The question before the Commonwealth is no longer simply whether Virginia can produce SAF, but how can Virginia maximize the long-term value of its agricultural and forestry resources across multiple products, markets, and policy objectives.
Report: Readiness and Competitiveness of Virginia’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Biofuels Supply Chains
About the Report
Readiness and Competitiveness of Virginia’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Biofuels Supply Chains: Part II. 2025-2026 expands upon a previous white paper prepared for the Virginia Department of Aviation in 2024. The earlier document summarized policy frameworks and initiatives related to commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with emphasis on documenting relevant activities in Virginia, its bordering states, and other states considered to be SAF leaders at that time. The current document summarizes updated information about SAF production and use in the US, describing significant technological evolution and changes in policy backdrop over the last two years. The document also highlights how recent actions in Virginia, including several executive orders, the forthcoming Virginia Energy Plan, etc., have brought heightened interest to bio-based supply chain configurations and understanding to what extent various incentives, investments, or other initiatives could contribute to economic development and other timely priorities.
About the Authors
The Virginia Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition is a collection of entities that has been studying SAF supply chains in Virginia for nearly 15 years. Members include representatives from the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems (CCALS), the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV), and the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI). The coalition conducts analytical supply chain modeling and convenes dialog among relevant stakeholders. The work of the coalition has been funded by the Virginia Department of Aviation and a Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) – SAF Tier 1 grant from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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Other Published Research
Related bodies of work
- Carbon Lifecycle 2024
- Report of the Biomass Advisory Panel 2024
Note: these two documents can be found on the Department of Forestry website
Articles
Connecting Transportation Innovation Through Logistics
CCALS served as a sponsor and active participant in the inaugural Virginia Clean Cities Mid-Atlantic Advanced Transportation Summit & Expo, held July 21–23 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.
Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy Gets New Branding
New branding and marketing for the Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy was developed by a team that included CCALS summer fellows and Economic Development.
CCALS Summer Fellows Work to Brand, Market New UAS Center
CCALS summer fellows are working with Economic Development to develop branding and marketing for new UAS Center
Old Colleagues, New Innovation: Partnership Advances Combined Mission in Southwest Virginia
Sometimes, the most impactful partnerships begin with a simple conversation between longtime colleagues.
Ribbon Cutting Marks Launch of Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy Funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission
CCALS announces the establishment of an Energy-Centric Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center for Critical Infrastructure, made possible through a $490,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission’s (TRRC) Energy Ingenuity Fund.
CCALS to Host Ribbon-Cutting for Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy
CCALS and TRRC will celebrate the launch of the Energy-Centric UAS Center for Critical Infrastructure at TRRC offices in Richmond VA.
Charting a path to sustainable aviation fuels
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provides a renewable alternative to traditional fuels and has a smaller carbon footprint, and Virginia is uniquely suited to producing it. But getting from a farm field to a jet plane requires sophisticated logistics planning.
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CCALS offers its partners a unique economic and workforce advantage: A world class university ecosystem of advanced logistics innovation and excellence.