Transforming CO2 into Sustainable Aviation Fuel for a net zero future

One promising solution is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), produced from renewable resources or waste materials with low carbon emissions. SAF has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuels, making it a crucial component in the UK’s strategy to achieve net-zero aviation by 2050.

Dr Vinoth Ramalingam, a Chancellor’s Fellow and Sustainable Energy scientist at RGU’s School of Computing, Engineering and Technology is at the forefront of this innovative field.

His research focuses on the development of innovative catalyst materials for energy conversion technologies such as green hydrogen production from water electrolysis, ammonia synthesis from nitrogen, and valuable chemical feedstocks and fuels production from CO2.

He said: “We are excited about the King's Speech on 17 July that a bill will be introduced to support sustainable aviation fuel production. Following this, a new legislative bill was announced on 22 July to support UK’s sustainable aviation fuel, which are a key part of the broader strategy to decarbonise air travel.

“This initiative underscores the urgent need for a transition to SAF and highlights the UK’s commitment to advancing its production.”

Dr Ramalingam’s research team is currently working on solar powered electrochemical technology that can turn CO2 from the atmosphere into value added chemicals feedstock and fuels including SAF using just sunlight and water in the presence of catalyst materials.

More specifically, his team is developing solar energy conversion device, low cost and innovative catalyst materials made up of tiny metal particles. These tiny catalysts with energy conversion device will allow us to convert CO2, water and sunlight into SAF. This pioneering approach not only produces valuable SAF but also has the potential to revolutionise the aviation sector by significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The UK SAF mandate will start in 2025 at 2% of total UK jet fuel demand, increasing on a linear basis to 10% in 2030 and then to 22% in 2040. From 2040, the obligation will remain at 22% until there is greater certainty regarding SAF supply.

The mandate will encourage the innovation of advanced fuels that can generate greater emission reductions and the diversification of feedstocks to reduce dependencies on scarce resources, by including in the mandate:

• A cap on the feedstocks used in the hydro processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) process, but not until other types of SAF are also commercially viable to recognise the important part that HEFA SAF will play in the 2020s. HEFA supply will not be limited under the mandate for the first 2 years, fall to 71% in 2030 and still contribute 35% in 2040.
• A separate obligation on power to liquid fuels from 2028 that reaches 3.5% of total jet fuel demand in 2040.

Advancements in SAF technology, especially with CO2-derived fuel using renewable solar energy, mark a significant leap forward for the aviation industry. As these innovations evolve and expand, they pave the way for a future where air travel and environmental sustainability coexist seamlessly.