Whyalla could play host to low-carbon sustainable aviation fuels produced with renewables

British synthetic fuels developer Zero Petroleum is exploring the possibility of building a low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel production facility in the South Australian city of Whyalla, in collaboration with Qantas Airways.

The feasibility study is expected to take six months and will evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental viability of a facility which would be capable of producing up to 10 million litres of synthetic aviation fuel, gasoline, and diesel each year.

It will seek to tap into the state’s huge wind and solar resources – which already account for around 75 per cent of annual demand, and which are expected to reach 100 per cent net renewables by 2027 – and its emerging green hydrogen production facilities in the same city.

Zero Petroleum was founded in 2020 by former F1 racing engineer and executive Paddy Lowe and subject expert Nilay Shah, a professor of process systems engineering at Imperial College London.

Their company has developed and manufactures whole-blend and 100% fossil free synthetic fuels – including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel – through a process utilising direct air capture (DAC) carbon dioxide and hydrogen from water electrolysis, all powered by renewable energy.

This is designed to create fuels which are intended for use in an array of hard-to-abate sectors – including the aviation industry and motor racing series such as Formula 1.

Zero Petroleum was founded in 2020 by former F1 racing engineer and executive Paddy Lowe and subject expert Nilay Shah, a professor of process systems engineering at Imperial College London.

Their company has developed and manufactures whole-blend and 100% fossil free synthetic fuels – including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel – through a process utilising direct air capture (DAC) carbon dioxide and hydrogen from water electrolysis, all powered by renewable energy.

This is designed to create fuels which are intended for use in an array of hard-to-abate sectors – including the aviation industry and motor racing series such as Formula 1.

“South Australia’s leadership in renewable energy and renewable hydrogen production makes the state an ideal location for advancing e-fuel innovation,” said Tom Koutsantonis, South Australia’s minister for energy and mining.

“The Malinauskas Government’s State Prosperity Project is already starting to see results with companies such as Zero Petroleum recognising the opportunity to leverage our world-leading investments in renewable hydrogen.

“Hydrogen is a game-changer for industries striving to decarbonise, and aviation is no exception.

“By fostering innovative projects such as this and collaborating with major partners such as Zero Petroleum, Qantas and Adelaide Airport, we can drive the transition to sustainable fuels while cementing South Australia’s position at the forefront of renewable energy and industrial transformation.”

Zero originally proposed the construction of a production plant back in March when the company first signed an agreement with the state government, which was accompanied by an appearance at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival with a motorcycle powered by the company’s synthetic racing fuel.

If development of the facility goes ahead, it would pair with existing work being done in Whyalla, which is central to the state government’s “State Prosperity Project” which includes the construction of a renewable hydrogen facility, including a 250 MW electrolyser and a 200 MW hydrogen-fuelled power plant.

“We are excited to make Plant Zero.SA a reality, in collaboration with the SA Government, Adelaide Airport Limited and Qantas, to create new jobs and strengthen the region’s position as one of the world leaders in sustainable energy,” Lowe said in a statement.

A production facility of the scale being contemplated would create up to 150 full time-equivalent jobs during construction and between 25 to 30 during ongoing operations.