University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin have announced they are teaming up on a four-year research study on the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
This study aims to explore potential methods for manufacturing SAF and establishing a sustainable supply chain for raw materials in Ireland. It is due to commence in September 2024.
The research is being funded by Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI), an Ibec group representing the aircraft leasing industry.
Responding to legislation
This initiative responds to new European Commission legislation that requires fuel suppliers to blend increasing levels of SAF with kerosene at EU airports, starting with 2% by 2025. Current SAF supply is insufficient to meet these targets, making increased production vital.
‘The primary focus of the study will be to identify how Ireland can establish a sustainable and viable supply chain for SAF raw materials, while also proposing scenarios in which a substantial quantity of SAF can be produced efficiently on the island,’ University of Limerick said in a statement.
The study will be led by Associate Professor Stephen Dooley and Assistant Professor Mohammad Reza Ghanni from Trinity College Dublin, along with Professors Luuk Van der Wielen and Vivek Ranade from the University of Limerick.
“Sustainable air connectivity is critical for the island of Ireland,” commented Luuk Van der Wielen, Bernal Professor Biosystems Design and Engineering, UL. “We at the University of Limerick see the strong collaboration with our colleagues at Trinity College Dublin and Aircraft Leasing Ireland as an excellent opportunity to support sustainable economic development by harvesting Ireland’s off- and on-shore renewable energy, and the circular bioeconomy potentials.
“This is fully in line with the recent recommendations of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, the Irish Climate Action Plan and related strategies.”
‘Vast potential’
Elsewhere, Stephen Dooley, Associate Professor, TCD, added that sustainable aviation fuels need to be produced from waste plant matter and renewable energy, adding that Ireland has “vast potential” to provide both of these building blocks.
“The collaborative research between ALI, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin will assess supply chains and SAF production technology scenarios all around Ireland to learn the most important things; how much SAF can be produced, where, at what cost, and at what CO2 saving.”
ALI, the University of Limerick, and Trinity College Dublin are also part of the Department of Transport’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Task Force, which aims to develop a national SAF Policy Roadmap.
