The UK government-backed Jet Zero Council on Wednesday launched the first stage of a £3 million ($4.1 million) Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure (ZEFI) competition to stimulate the development of systems needed to support the commercial operation of electric- and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The new funding will be available in tranches of £50,000 to at least a dozen businesses and universities working on technology such as electric charging points and hydrogen fuel storage and delivery.
The Connected Places Catapult runs the ZEFI competition on behalf of the Department for Transport as part of the Transport Research and Innovation Grant. Approved areas of work also include batteries and the airside use of green hydrogen and electricity at UK airports.
Since the joint government-industry Jet Zero Council began in July 2020, total funding allocated to projects helping the country's air transport industry achieve the government’s goal of a net-zero rating for carbon emissions by 2050 has totaled £20 million. The council also has funded work on sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen propulsion systems.
This week, Jet Zero Council member IAG’s cargo division completed a first flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel made from recycled cooking oil. Operated in partnership with logistics group Kuehne and Nagel, the British Airways Boeing 787-9 flew from Stuttgart, Germany, to Atlanta. This movement was part of a charter booking to carry automotive parts across the Atlantic, and IAG has sourced an initial supply of 1.2 million liters of the Neste-produced fuel.
“International Airlines Group was the first European airline group to commit to powering 10 percent of its flights with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030,” commented IAG Cargo’s chief commercial officer, John Cheetham. “These charters mark IAG Cargo’s first step on that journey, and we’re incredibly proud of our commitment to long-term sustainability, helping to reduce carbon footprint overall.”