Cranfield University and HyDEX recently hosted the first UK-Singapore ‘Jet Zero’ Workshops at the Marina Bay Sands conference centre in Singapore.
Funded by the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework, and supported by the British High Commission in Singapore, the workshops showcased cutting-edge initiatives in sustainable aviation.
The first workshop, which centred on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), saw over 60 senior executives in attendance. Adrienne Scott Cox, the British High Commission’s Energy and Sustainability envoy in Singapore welcomed the guests. Faye McAnulla, HyDEX Programme Director then introduced Professor Ron Corstanje from Cranfield University who led the Jet Zero Workshop mission in Singapore. Professor Corstanje outlined the challenges and opportunities in aviation decarbonisation, emphasizing the need to produce at least 100 billion litres of SAF annually to achieve the sector’s emission reduction targets.
Dr. Patchigolla Kumar of Cranfield elaborated on the UK’s strategy for sustainable aviation, supported by research insights from experts including Drs. Vinod Kumar and Ali Nabavi (Cranfield University), and Dr. Diganta Bhusan Das (Loughborough University). The session also featured contributions from Dr. Roong Jien Wong from A*STAR, highlighting Singapore’s work in renewable energy.
The second workshop focused on Hydrogen as a pivotal aspect of sustainable aviation. Lauren Babuik from the British High Commission in Singapore explained the Green Economy Framework’s role in fostering partnerships. Prof. Ron Corstanje stressed the urgency to decarbonise air travel and the significance of long-term sustainability in fuel choices. Presentations by Dr. Sandun Dissanayake (Cranfield University) and Dr. Tongtong Zhang (University of Birmingham) showcased ongoing hydrogen research.
Dr. Sharon George (Keele University) and Dr. Nahid Yazdani (University of Nottingham) discussed UK partnerships in hydrogen, followed by insights from Singaporean counterparts, including Dr. Wen Paul Liu (Nanyang Technological University).
The final workshop focused on Policy imperatives for sustainable aviation growth. Alex Bamford, Deputy High Commissioner at UK in Singapore, stressed Singapore’s commitment to decarbonisation and its potential for fostering innovation partnerships. Antony Henderson (Department for Transport, UK) discussed global emission reduction strategies.
Academic experts from the HyDEX partnership of universities, including Dr Edgar Ramiro Jimenez Perez (Cranfield), Dr Chris Parker (Loughborough University), Dr Nahid Yazdani (University of Nottingham) and Prof Ghulam Sorwar (Keele University) presented policy challenges, followed by discussions on international collaboration and policy incentives to drive Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption.
Dr Toby Waine from Cranfield concluded the day by stating the hope that this mission leads to closer academic and business partnerships between the two countries in all aspects of sustainable aviation in the future. The workshops highlighted the significant collaboration between UK and Singaporean stakeholders in advancing sustainable aviation solutions.
The UK-Singapore Jet Zero workshops, spanning topics from Sustainable Aviation Fuels to Hydrogen and Policy, have played an important first step in establishing dialogue and partnerships between the two countries in their quest towards achieving net-zero.
The next stage of the partnership will be a visit to the UK by Singaporean partners, in order to see some of the research and innovation work that is being undertaken in sustainable aviation.
