HiiROC bags Scottish Enterprise funding for SAF study

Hull-based clean hydrogen production company HiiROC said it has received grant support from Scotland’s national economic agency, Scottish Enterprise, to carry out comprehensive feasibility study to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) business in Scotland.

“It is fantastic to see this feasibility project take place with collaboration from key partners and stakeholders that will support the development of innovative technologies around the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Scotland,” said Suzanne Sosna, Scottish Enterprise director for Energy Transition..

The feasibility study, conducted by HiiROC’s wholly-owned Scottish subsidiary Zeleno, in collaboration with Stratus Energy Partners, will explore the potential of Thermal Plasma Reforming (TPR) technology to produce SAF at a fraction of the cost and electricity requirement.

The study will include physical technology trials and detailed assessments of levelised cost, GHG life cycle assessment, feedstock supply chains and potential offtakers, laying the foundation for a robust business plan to attract further capital investment.

Thermal Plasma Reforming builds on HiiROC’s Thermal Plasma Electrolysis (TPE) process, which produces low-carbon hydrogen and solid carbon without emitting CO2.

This approach has the potential to significantly reduce SAF production costs, energy consumption and carbon emissions, for an industry struggling with the cost and scalability of power-to-liquids (PtL) SAF.

“We are excited to embark on this journey with the support of Scottish Enterprise,” said Tim Davies, CEO of HiiROC. “This feasibility study is a critical step towards realising our vision of a sustainable, low-carbon future for aviation. By leveraging Scotland’s unique renewable energy resources, we aim to create a scalable and economically viable SAF production business that will contribute to the country’s energy security and economic growth.”

The project has garnered interest from key stakeholders, including Airbus, Agile Energy, XeleratedFifty, Forth Greenport and World Kinect, who have all expressed their support for the study.

The successful completion of the feasibility study will inform the development of a full-scale SAF production plant in Scotland, with the potential to generate significant employment opportunities and economic benefits for the region.