Researchers at UNSW Sydney are set to accelerate the development of a next-generation electrolyser capable of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable energy, thanks to a substantial funding boost.
The project, led by Dr Rahman Daiyan in collaboration with industry partners, is receiving over $4 million in total investment, including a $1.2 million grant from the TRaCE Lab to Market Fund.
The innovative electrolyser system transforms carbon dioxide and water into precursors that can ultimately be converted into green fuel for aircraft, offering a promising pathway to reducing the aviation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The funding, provided through TRaCE (Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy), a program established by the Australian Department of Education, has been bolstered by additional industry partner contributions, raising the total to $4.2 million.
The investment aims to achieve a significant breakthrough in aviation emissions reduction by supporting technology that is notoriously difficult to decarbonise.
The UNSW-led project involves Dr Rahman Daiyan, Scientia Professor Rose Amal, and Adjunct Professor Jimmy Yun, and partners with Australian company Tjindu Power and China’s Chuangqi Times (Qingdao) Technology Company, a prominent clean tech developer.
The research team has already developed a low-cost carbon dioxide electrolyser system using transition metal and carbon catalysts, designed to integrate with the well-established Fischer-Tropsch process to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
Dr Daiyan, a Scientia Fellow in the School of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineering, said: “Our goal is to revolutionise how we produce clean fuels for aviation, using renewable energy to transform CO₂ into usable fuels without requiring costly infrastructure changes.
“This technology could be the key to decarbonising aviation, one of the world’s most challenging sectors.”
Decarbonising aviation remains a leading challenge on the road to net zero, with the sector responsible for an estimated 2 to 3 per cent of global emissions and few viable alternatives to conventional jet fuel.
While many clean energy solutions are in development, most remain expensive, energy-intensive, and not yet ready for large-scale adoption.
Professor Amal, from UNSW’s School of Chemical Engineering, added: “This breakthrough proves that with smart catalyst design and integrated system thinking, we can transform waste CO₂ into the very fuels that drive our economy.
“It’s the kind of scalable innovation we need to tackle hard-to-abate sectors and achieve net zero.”
The TRaCE grant will help propel the project from proof-of-concept in the laboratory (technology readiness level 4) to a validated prototype suitable for real-world environments (level 6).
To support commercialisation, a spin-out company, Gurung Fuel, has been established to drive business development and engage stakeholders.
Adjunct Professor Yun of Chuangqi Times (Qingdao) said: “This partnership is a major step towards scaling the cutting-edge electrolyser technology.
“We’re not just developing a solution, we are creating a game-changer for the aviation industry, with the potential to make a global impact.”
Beyond environmental benefits, the project represents a strategic opportunity for Australia to bolster its fuel security.
The nation currently holds just 48 days’ worth of fuel reserves — well below the 90-day standard required internationally, leaving it vulnerable to both global disruptions and regional crises.
The move towards domestic sustainable aviation fuel production could mitigate these risks and underpin a more resilient, independent energy supply for Australia.
