The University of Sheffield is poised to become a trailblazer in the realm of green hydrogen production, standing out as a leading UK research center in this pivotal field. This accolade is a result of the institution’s acquisition of cutting-edge equipment, designed to support critical research endeavors aimed at decarbonizing the aviation industry.
At the heart of this transformation lies Sheffield’s Energy Institute, which is in the process of installing a state-of-the-art hydrogen electrolyser. This sophisticated technology operates by splitting water into its constituent elements – hydrogen and oxygen. The primary focus of this equipment will be to facilitate the development and testing of new hydrogen-based sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).
The hydrogen electrolyser, a product of IMI Remosa’s innovation under the rebranded label IMI VIVO, is seamlessly integrating into the University’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC). This facility is the first of its kind in the UK, capable of spearheading the entire journey from the conception, development, and validation of new fuels, all under one roof. This strategic setup, combined with the prowess of the new electrolyser, offers a significant boost to the UK’s research and development capabilities in the field of SAFs, playing a pivotal role in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.
The importance of sustainable aviation fuels cannot be overstated. The aviation sector presently contributes approximately seven percent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, with this number on a relentless upward trajectory. However, the sheer reliance on fossil fuels within aviation presents a formidable challenge to decarbonization efforts. The development and approval of new fuels, conforming to stringent standards and regulations, are a prerequisite for meaningful change.
In a collaborative endeavor, Sheffield’s researchers are collaborating with aviation industry partners to conceptualize and produce novel hydrogen and CO2-based fuels that adhere to these rigorous standards. Furthermore, the University is forging relationships with various sectors across the UK, aiding in their transition to alternative fuels and fostering decarbonization initiatives.
The new hydrogen electrolyser now empowers the University to generate approximately 140Nm3 of green hydrogen per hour, accompanied by a storage capacity of 1450Nm3. This impressive capacity is equivalent to powering around 200 homes, highlighting the sheer magnitude of its potential impact.
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, the Director of the University of Sheffield’s Energy Institute, emphasized the necessity of comprehending the potential of green hydrogen to advance towards a decarbonized future, particularly in the context of sustainable aviation fuels. He expressed his excitement about the possibilities the new electrolyser offers to academia and industry alike, envisaging a greener future made tangible through collaboration and innovation.
The SAF-IC facility finds its home within the University of Sheffield Innovation District, an incubator for world-class translational research that fosters economic growth, investments, and job creation in the South Yorkshire region.
This initiative dovetails with other significant efforts in the region. The University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) recently launched a landmark research project, dedicated to revolutionizing lightweight aircraft component manufacturing, further bolstering aviation’s quest for environmental sustainability.
Sheffield’s involvement extends beyond research into real-world action. The University is a core member of a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic, poised to accomplish the world’s first 100 percent SAF transatlantic flight, scheduled for November 28, 2023.
Through the confluence of the University of Sheffield’s research prowess and South Yorkshire’s conducive ecosystem, the region emerges as the UK’s foremost hub for sustainable aviation research and development.
Giuseppe Buscemi, President of IMI Critical Engineering Europe, underscored the critical role of this endeavor in combating aviation’s escalating carbon footprint. The IMI VIVO electrolyser stands as a pivotal innovation that is primed to catalyze aviation’s shift away from fossil fuels, holding the promise of reducing emissions across multiple sectors, in line with the overarching commitment to engineering for a better world.
