Royal Air Force trials renewable diesel in Support Force squadrons

Photo: Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force announced Feb. 20 that it has trialed the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel, to support current capabilities.

The trial, which was called Project Ester and took place at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, was conducted by squadrons of the RAF’s Support Force.

Five vehicles from No. 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron used HVO as fuel for a five-month period, while No. 3 Mobile Catering Squadron also used the opportunity to trial HVO with the operational field catering system.

As ground-fuel specialists, No. 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron also assisted with the trial.

Photo: Royal Air Force

HVO is a next-generation low-carbon diesel that significantly reduces the harmful gases and CO2 that internal-combustion engines emit with up to 90 percent CO2 reduction.

“HVO renewable diesel is a premium hydrocarbon-based fuel product made of 100 percent renewable raw materials, which does not release any new carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,” RAF stated.

“We’ve gained some valuable data on the HVO fuel, and taken the opportunity to test different ways of working, including testing whether the HVO could be used in the cooking sets of 3 Mobile Catering Squadron,” said Wing Commander Micklewright with theSupport Force. “We’re delighted to have been able to work closely with HQ Air Command, Defence Equipment and Support and the Operational Energy Authority, not to mention our commercial vehicle providers at Babcock, to make this happen.”

Group Captain Dixon, the assistant head air command for climate change and sustainability, added, “Project Ester has provided our logistics team and vehicle operators and refuelers with valuable experience of using hydrotreated vegetable oil in our normal truck fleets, building confidence in the use of a true drop-in alternative fuel source. As we decarbonize our truck fleets, it has provided confidence that a transition to HVO, when more affordable, will lessen our reliance on global fossil-fuel supply chains without detrimental impact on our operational output. Project Ester is a great example providing evidence that enhances our fuel resilience whilst also driving towards our net-zero and transport-decarbonization goals and legislative remits—a decarbonization and operational flexibility advantage win-win scenario.”

This is the first time RAF has trialed HVO in vehicles, although it has previously successfully trialed the use of HVO in boilers at RAF Leeming.

RAF is also powering vehicles using other energy sources, currently transitioning its white fleet to electric (and/or hybrid), while also undertaking trials with some of its larger airside vehicles using hydrogen.

“RAF Wittering is proud to support RAF’s drive toward net zero,” said Wing Commander Nikki Duncan, the station commander for RAF Wittering. “Through collaborative trials using alternative fuels, such as HVO, we are playing our part in the bid to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining operational excellence. Our teams’ expertise and facilities have proven invaluable in advancing these important initiatives, and I’m pleased that RAF Wittering continues to contribute to the RAF’s environmental commitments.”

This trial was a collaborative partnership between RAF Wittering, Support Force, Fuels Role Office, ASTRA, Babcock-Phoenix 2, Western Global, Operational Energy Authority and World Fuels Services.