Rolls-Royce SMR explores nuclear-powered sustainable aviation fuel

UK SMR consortium

ROLLS-ROYCE SMR has signed an agreement with UK nuclear project developer Equilibrion to explore how small modular reactors (SMRs) could power the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The memorandum of understanding follows a feasibility study at Bristol Airport which found SMRs could provide the large and reliable supplies of heat and electricity required for power-to-liquids (PtL) processes that convert hydrogen and CO2 into synthetic jet fuel.

Equilibrion estimates that a single 470 MW Rolls-Royce SMR could produce more than 160m L/y of SAF. Caroline Longman, director at Equilibrion, said nuclear-derived fuel-production offers the “reliability, scalability and low carbon intensity” required to produce “large, dependable volumes” of SAF. 

SAF currently accounts for less than 1% of global aviation fuel supply, while continued growth in air travel risks pushing sector emissions higher despite the expected uptake of lower-carbon fuels. Equilibrion argues nuclear technology is “uniquely positioned” to meet the UK’s mandate for SAF to supply 22% of aviation fuel by 2040, including a requirement that 3.9% comes from PtL pathways. 

Founded in 2022, Hull-based Equilibrion was awarded £1m (US$1.34m) last year as part of the UK government’s Advanced Fuels Fund. Their PtL process will use SMR-generated electricity to power electrolysers producing hydrogen from water, while direct air capture provides CO2 for conversion to liquid hydrocarbons via a Fischer–Tropsch process. 

While final UK regulatory approval of Rolls-Royce’s SMR design is not expected until December, the company is already building them in Czechia. The design was selected by the UK government last year for the country’s first three SMRs. 

Alan Woods, director of strategy and business development at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “The technical and economic assessment completed with Equilibrion will enable them to demonstrate how nuclear can power one of the most ambitious decarbonisation challenges in aviation.”