Research carried out at the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Center is helping accelerate the development of low-carbon aviation fuel, a move that could make greener air travel more widely available for holidays, business trips, and city breaks.
The project is also expected to strengthen future jet fuel supplies in the face of geopolitical disruptions, including the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, by supporting increased sustainable aviation fuel production within the UK.
Sheffield facility helping advance greener aviation
According to the university, the Energy Innovation Center is assisting British fuel companies in developing new forms of sustainable aviation fuel aimed at reducing the environmental impact of flying.
One of the companies currently working with the center is Green Lizard Technologies, which is developing sustainable aviation fuel in Teesside.
The Sheffield facility is described as the first in the UK capable of both testing emerging aviation fuels and delivering detailed scientific analysis backed by academic expertise. This allows fuel producers to determine whether their products are commercially viable and capable of meeting certification standards.
The center has now completed its first full fuel testing report for Green Lizard Technologies, helping move the company’s low-carbon jet fuel closer to commercial production.
Experts highlight growing demand for sustainable fuel testing
Ehsan Alborzi, senior research fellow in aviation fuels at the Energy Innovation Center, said the laboratory is supporting efforts to increase the number of flights powered by sustainable aviation fuel.
Hansini Rathnayake said demand for the center’s services is expected to rise as the aviation industry increases its focus on reducing emissions while also trying to ease pressure on conventional jet fuel supplies.
She noted that more companies are now attempting to bring sustainable aviation fuels to market, increasing the need for independent testing and analysis.
Green Lizard Technologies moves closer to commercialization
Martin Atkins said the company’s partnership with the University of Sheffield had helped it complete jet engine testing and gain a clearer understanding of its fuel composition.
According to Atkins, the testing process is essential for meeting certification requirements and provides the technical data needed to attract investment and scale the technology globally.
Sustainable aviation fuel seen as key to cleaner flying
Sustainable aviation fuels are produced using renewable or waste based sources and can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.
However, widespread adoption has been slowed by the high costs and technical complexity involved in fuel testing and certification.
The Sheffield testing laboratory aims to address this issue by offering a single integrated system that supports fuel developers from early stage testing through to regulatory approval.
Advanced testing methods used at Sheffield lab
The technical work carried out for Green Lizard Technologies involved a detailed assessment of a Fischer Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene fuel sample against ASTM D7566 Annex A1 certification standards.
Researchers conducted extensive physical, chemical and compositional analysis using advanced laboratory systems, including multidimensional gas chromatography equipped with dual detectors.
The technology can separate fuel into individual chemical components using only a very small sample before analysing the fuel’s complete chemical profile and characteristics.
The findings were then compiled into a comprehensive technical report designed to help Green Lizard Technologies continue progressing through approval pathways required for commercial launch.
The Energy Innovation Centre also provided guidance on areas needing improvement, certification limitations, wider industry context and recommendations for next steps.
The university said the project demonstrates the centre’s ability to support early stage fuel developers through specialised research and certification aligned analysis within the growing sustainable aviation fuel industry.
