SkiesFifty, a sustainable aviation investment fund based in Singapore and the UK, has announced a collaboration with UK-based Catalsys to fund a joint venture aimed at decarbonising aviation ground operations. The initiative will focus on providing carbon-free electricity and advancing research into alternative aircraft propulsion systems.
The partnership plans to utilise Catalsys’s patented generator, which is fuelled by green ammonia, alongside a portable ammonia cracker to produce off-grid green electricity at airports. This approach is expected to offer significantly lower costs compared to other zero-carbon alternatives. The generated electricity will be used for both airside and landside operations, including charging electric ground vehicles such as airfield equipment, rental cars, and buses, as well as powering ground units at aircraft stands.
Additionally, the venture will explore the conversion of green ammonia into a fuel blend compatible with jet engines. This builds on existing studies that suggest strong potential for powering both short-haul and long-haul aircraft with minimal impact on range and payload.
The agreement between SkiesFifty and Catalsys includes providing funding and resources, serving as a precursor to a substantial investment by SkiesFifty in Catalsys’s parent company, pending due diligence. This underscores their commitment to delivering impactful aviation solutions.
SkiesFifty is dedicated to accelerating aviation’s journey towards net-zero emissions, having recently partnered with Frontline BioEnergy to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel and collaborated with GigaBlue to enhance ocean-based carbon capture. Catalsys specialises in affordable, off-grid green power solutions tailored to modern industries’ needs.
