New Civil Engineer
Rob Hakimian
09 Mar 2026
A feasibility study has concluded that small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) could be used to produce large volumes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen in the South West, potentially supplying Bristol Airport’s future energy needs for both flights and ground operations.
The study was carried out by Equilibrion with support from Q8Aviation and pipeline operator Exolum, and was funded via Bristol Airport’s Airport Carbon Transition (ACT) programme. Equilibrion’s technology programme, dubbed Eq.flight, has also received separate funding from the Department for Transport.
According to the report, SMRs sited in the South West could generate the electricity and process heat required to drive electrolysis for hydrogen production and to power synthesis routes for nuclear-derived SAF. Equilibrion estimates the approach could reduce emissions from flights operating to and from Bristol Airport by about 29% by 2035, relative to current baselines...
