Bristol Airport, Equilibrion complete study on nuclear-derived sustainable fuels

Bristol Airport announced March 5 that it and Equilibrion, supported by Q8Aviation and Exolum, have successfully completed a groundbreaking feasibility study into the large-scale production of nuclear-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen in the South West of England.

The project demonstrates how the region could meet Bristol Airport’s growing demand for sustainable fuels for both flight and ground operations.

The output from the work finds that small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) could be based in the South West of England and used to generate both SAF and hydrogen to support the airport’s transition to lower emissions from its operations.

The development of this technology by Equilibrion is under project Eq.flight, which has also been awarded funding from the U.K. Department for Transport.

Eq.flight provides a long-term, low-carbon solution for aviation, with the potential to reduce emissions from Bristol Airport’s flights by 29 percent in 2035.

The project was funded through Bristol Airport’s airport carbon transition (ACT) program.

The strategic fund is designed to fast-track decarbonization projects to tackle emissions from flight and transport, supporting organizations develop cutting-edge technologies that will drive the aviation industry towards zero carbon-emission flights.

“Sustainable aviation fuel will play a critical role in decarbonizing aviation globally, but we need to ensure that there is a reliable, affordable supply,” said Hannah Pollard, the head of sustainability for Bristol Airport. “Equilibrion’s groundbreaking report shows the huge potential that nuclear-derived SAF offers. With our region’s nuclear pedigree and available sites, the South West is well-positioned to host SMRs and lead the development of this exciting technology.”

Equilibrion Director Phil Rogers added, “We are delighted to have worked with Bristol Airport through the ACT program to support its sustainable growth and emissions-reduction plans. Eq.flight provides a unique opportunity to produce low-carbon fuels close to where they are used, creating jobs, investment and local value. Our mission to decarbonize aviation using nuclear energy is advancing rapidly, and completion of this project is a major milestone.”

Tim Barrow, Exolum’s business-development manager for Northwest Europe, said, “As work like the Eq.flight study shows, developing new sources of sustainable aviation fuel needs to be matched by the infrastructure that can support them. Reliable logistics play an important role in ensuring SAF can be moved safely and efficiently from production to airport as the market develops.”