NewJet Network+

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes))

Basic and strategic applied research

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Other (Energy technology information dissemination)

Dr S Blakey
School of Mechanical Engineering
University of Birmingham

Standard

EPSRC

01 December 2019

31 January 2024

50 months

£1,026,632

Bioengineering

West Midlands

Energy : Energy

Dr S Blakey, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham

Dr J Andresen, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University
Professor P Bowen, Engineering, Cardiff University
Dr S Christie, Chemistry and Environmental Science, Manchester Metropolitan University
Dr A P Crayford, Engineering, Cardiff University
Dr MM Maroto-Valer, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University
Dr R Marsh, Engineering, Cardiff University
Professor M Pourkashanian, Energy Resources Research Unit, University of Leeds
Professor D Raper, School of Science and the Environmen, Manchester Metropolitan University
Prof P Thornley, Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester

Project Contact, Renovare Fuels Limited
Project Contact, BP International Ltd
Project Contact, Department for Transport

A thriving aviation sector sits at the heart of the UK's vision for a global and connected Britain. Aviation and aerospace contribute more than 22bn a year to the UK economy. R&D in electric and hybrid aircraft technology is essential in the journey to decarbonise aviation, but will be realised initially in short haul travel. Medium and long-haul aircraft, where the majority of carbon emissions are produced, will remain dependent on liquid fuel for the foreseeable future.The aviation sector demands a fuel of high quality to cope with the extreme conditions experienced in flight around the globe, and thus requires governmental and multilateral organisations to work closely together to ensure safety across the whole sector. This rigour means that the industry has several self-regulating bodies controlling the specification of fuel, principally ASTM International based in the US and the Aviation Fuels Committee, run by the UK MOD and the Energy Institute. The focus on safety has meant that the fuel used by the sector has not changed substantially since the 1960's, despite significant advances in the engine and airframe energy efficiencies. The NewJet Network+ would seek overcome the industry "inertia" by taking a longer term and more strategic view than is currently in place within the specification community.The NewJet Network+ will explore the advantages to commercial aviation offered by the increasing levels of low carbon, synthetic fuel production beyond the existing fuel specification. The network will create a forum (free from commercial restraints that would limit freedom of forward and more strategic thinking) where an exploration of a new jet fuel specification for 2040 and beyond can be investigated. It will specifically focus on the improved properties of synthetic fuels over conventionally refined, fossil fuel feedstocks.Building on the present model of developing synthetic fuels to mimic the behaviour of conventional fuels, the goal of NewJet is to provide new understanding and insights into the benefits and barriers to a new fuel specification by 2040. The outcome of NewJet will be a virtual centre of excellence linking the chemical properties of a fuel to improved performance properties in flight.We believe that intervention at a whole system level will help provide a platform for discussions as to the possible benefits of a new fuel specification for conventional and alternative fuels - in terms of CO2 reductions, but also more widely, the non-CO2 benefits, performance and cost of ownership.

11/10/21