Bristol Airport and Equilibrion have completed a feasibility study assessing small modular reactors (SMRs) for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen in southwest England. The study, supported by Q8Aviation and Exolum, evaluates how regional SMRs could meet the airport’s increasing demand for low-emission fuels in flight and ground operations.
Equilibrion’s Eq.flight system, powered by Rolls-Royce SMRs, leverages nuclear energy’s consistent electricity and heat for power-to-liquid (PtL) SAF production. One Rolls-Royce SMR could generate over 160 million litres of SAF annually, fulfilling about one-third of the UK’s 2040 PtL target. The Eq.flight project has received funding from the UK Department for Transport, targeting a UK demonstration by 2030.
The analysis projects a 29% reduction in emissions from Bristol Airport flights by 2035 compared to current baselines. SMRs provide reliable, low-carbon energy for energy-intensive processes like electrolysis for hydrogen and SAF synthesis, addressing intermittency issues of renewables.
“Sustainable Aviation Fuel will play a critical role in decarbonising aviation globally, but we need to ensure that there is a reliable, affordable supply,” said Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability for Bristol Airport. Dr Phil Rogers, Director at Equilibrion, noted the study’s role in supporting sustainable growth and emissions reduction.
Equilibrion and Rolls-Royce SMR recently agreed to deepen technical and economic assessments for global SAF production optimized with nuclear power. Each Eq.flight facility could create around 10,000 skilled local jobs over its lifetime.