Winning projects include wireless charging for electric planes,
swappable battery packs to keep flight turnover times to a
minimum and state-of-the-art fuelling tanks to safely and
efficiently refuel flights of the future.
The fifteen successful projects have been awarded a share of
over £700,000 to help bring forward innovative research and
technology which can support UK airports in handling new types
of electric and hydrogen aircraft.
Transport Secretary
said:
“As the world reopens from the pandemic, it
is essential that we are investing in greener aviation as
part of our transport decarbonisation agenda.
“Funding these revolutionary projects will help to slash
carbon, create jobs and get us closer to our goal of
operating zero emission flights.”
Today’s funding forms part of the Government’s commitment in
the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial
Revolution, with a commitment of £3m of funding to research
into airport infrastructure for zero emission flights this
year.
Aviation Minister,
said:
“As an island nation, aviation is essential for our future
growth and plans to build back better and greener from the
pandemic.
“With COP26 around the corner, we’re ramping up our efforts
even further by funding the technology that unlocks the
flights of the future.”
Earlier this year, the UK Government set out its ambition to
become world-leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production,
launching the £15 million Green Fuel, Green Skies competition
and publishing a consultation proposing to mandate SAF use in
the UK from 2025.
Val Miftakhov, CEO, ZeroAvia, said:
“We are delighted to have been successful with the Zero
Emission Flight Infrastructure project and to have the
opportunity to show just how these projects are critical to
the future of zero emission aviation.
“In the future, we believe there will be a hydrogen-electric
engine in every aircraft as this is the only viable way to
deliver truly zero emission aircraft and to comprehensively
tackle the industry’s growing climate impact. When we deliver
our first hydrogen-electric powertrains into service in 2024,
operators need to be able to fuel their aircraft with low
carbon hydrogen, and today’s announcement is a big step
towards that.”
Nicola Yates OBE, CEO of Connected Places Catapult,
said:
“Connected Places Catapult is delighted to welcome these
fifteen innovative projects onto the TRIG: Zero Emission
Flight programme. The progress being made in this sector to
enable sustainable air travel is exciting and an important
step for the UK's successful transition to net zero.”
This funding is the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at
reducing emissions from flying and consolidating the UK’s
position as leaders in green aviation.
Earlier this year, the UK Government set out its ambition to
become world-leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production,
launching the £15 million Green Fuel, Green Skies competition
and publishing a consultation proposing to mandate SAF use in
the UK from 2025.
Part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, the competition
supports the early development of trailblazing UK facilities
capable of generating over 70% greenhouse gas emissions
savings, on a lifecycle basis, by turning materials such as
everyday waste into jet fuel.
