SETA - Sustainable Energy Transformations in Aviation

Aims and objectives

The “Sustainable Energy Transformations in Aviation (SETA)” project aims to contribute to an acceleration of sustainable energy transformations in aviation, with a focus on bio-based jet fuels, electric aircrafts and potentially even hydrogen. The project will be exploring the socio-technical opportunities and barriers related to these transformations.

To achieve the project's purpose, we have 3 doctoral students at KTH and Linköping University who are researching in relation to the socio-economic and socio-technical effects of sustainable energy transformations in the Swedish aviation sector, the sustainability perspectives (using LCA techniques), policy tools, business models and customer preferences.

Background

The Swedish government has set ambitious targets to become carbon neutral by 2045. This includes targets for having a completely fossil-free transport sector in 2045. Aviation plays a key role here. Sweden is already a global leader in sustainable energy transformations in aviation.

Swedish aviation have the target that all domestic flights shall be fossil free by 2030 and major Swedish airlines are offering their customers the possibility to purchase bio-based sustainable jet fuel, while initiatives on electric aircrafts are also happening.

Publications

Christley, E., 2025. Performing legitimacy in electric aviation: The innovation journey of Heart Aerospace. Energy Research & Social Science, 127, 104261.
 
Christley, E., Lai, Y. Y., Björner Brauer, H. & Almqvist Ingersoll, A. 2025. A beginner’s guide to reflexivity in energy research and social science. Energy Research & Social Science, 127, 104267.
 
Christley, E., Karakaya, E., Urban, F., 2024. Analysing transitions in-the-making: A case study of aviation in Sweden.  Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. Vol. 50(2024): 100790.
 
Christley, E. & Ullström, S., 2024. Desired or contested futures? Competing discourse-coalitions for sustainable aviation in Sweden.  Critical Policy Studies, 1-22.
 
Kulanovic, A. & Nordensvärd, J., 2021. Exploring the political discursive lock-ins on sustainable aviation in Sweden.  Energies, 14(21).
 
Lai, Y. Y. & Björklund, A., 2025. Prospective life cycle assessment of future Swedish hydrogen‑powered aviation pathways.  Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 146, 104887.
 
Lai, Y.Y. & Karakaya, E., 2024. Rethinking the sustainability of transitions: An illustrative case of burden-shifting and sociotechnical dynamics of aviation fuel in Sweden. Energy Research & Social Science, 113, p.103574.
 
Lai, Y. Y. & Laurent, A., 2025. Can hydrogen‑powered air travel grow within the planetary limits? Sustainable Production and Consumption, 59, pp. 143‑160.
 
Lai, Y.Y., Christley, E., Kulanovic, A., Teng, C.C., Björklund, A., Nordensvärd, J., Karakaya, E., Urban, F., 2022a. Analysing the opportunities and challenges for mitigating the climate impact of aviation: A narrative review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 156(3): 111972.
 
Lai, Y.Y., Karakaya, E. & Björklund, A., 2022b. Employing a socio-technical system approach in prospective life cycle assessment: A case of large-scale Swedish sustainable aviation fuels. Frontiers in Sustainability, 3.
 
Urban, F., Nurdiawati, A., Harahap, F., Morozovska, K., 2024. Decarbonizing maritime shipping and aviation: Disruption, regime resistance and breaking through carbon lock-in and path dependency in hard-to-abate transport sectors. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Vol. 52 (2024) 100854.
 
Urban, F. and Nordensvärd, J., 2023. Handbook on Climate Change and Technology. Edward Elgar Publishing, London.  Chapter on energy transitions in aviation, co-authored by Aneta Kulanovic.

Project contact persons:

Other involved persons from INDEK/KTH

Involved persons from ABE/KTH

Involved persons from University of Linköping

Johan Nordensvärd
E-mail: johan.nordensvard@liu.se

Aneta Kulanovic
E-mail: aneta.kulanovic@liu.se