About this project

  • Funder: EPSRC
  • Start Date: 1st January, 2016
  • End Date: 31st December, 2019
  • Project Value: £1,800,518
  • Project Grant Code: EP/N009924/1

Greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry have increased by 6%, requiring the development of novel technologies for low-carbon aviation fuels through the employment of novel processes. Reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector, is thus expected to impact heavily on the global economy and quality of life. This project supports the UK’s transition to a low carbon future, and consequently, increases the robustness of the UK economy. The project outcomes will contribute to achieving the UK’s ambitious and legislated target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions of 80 % by 2050. The technologies developed in this project (gasification of biomass and CO2 co-valorisation) are indeed critical to meet the UK energy and environmental demands, as well as ensuring security of supply.

The UK has the largest aerospace sector in Europe (£50 billion and c.1 million jobs), and development of a domestic industry for sustainable fuels production could generate a Gross Value Added of up to £480 million in 2030 and support up to 4,400 permanent jobs, as well as over 1,000 jobs could be generated in global exports. Gasification of waste biomass is a key enabler for the transition to sustainable energy required to meet the UK’s 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The combination of CCS and biomass gasification could deliver 130 TWh/year, i.e. 10 % of future national energy demand. Moreover, CCS could create 25,000 jobs in the UK, with a value > £10 billion/year by 2025.

Our partner consortium includes a wide variety of stakeholders which help to make this a reality.

Our unique vision entails the production of low carbon jet fuels through the integration of novel technologies, taking CO2 and wood pellet biomass and a combination of co-electrolysis to produce a jet fuel that is negative in emissions.

More information about our projects and who we are at RCCS can be found here.