Rubbish to Runway: A Life Cycle Assessment of Waste-Derived Biofuels at Manchester Airport
Thursday 28th July 2022, 12.30-13.30 (UK time), Lois Pennington – University of Manchester
Abstract:
Manchester Airport is the third largest airport in the UK, handling close to 30 million passengers in 2019. The airport lies within the Greater Manchester area and their operations and related aviation activities make it one of the largest emitters of CO2 in the region. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2038, and decarbonising the airport operations remains a challenge. The operations of the airport and their tenants generate many different forms of waste, and through the application of bioenergy technologies, this waste may provide an opportunity for the airport to lower its carbon footprint in line with the climate goals of the region. This talk will cover the results of a Life Cycle Assessment of the waste handling strategies of the airport, and show how reframing waste as a valuable resource can help to achieve the UK’s climate goals.
Speaker’s bio:
Lois is a PhD researcher at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, based at the University of Manchester and working in collaboration with Manchester Airport. Her research explores the potential application of bioenergy technologies to airport waste, in order to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint and achieve Greater Manchester’s goals of being carbon neutral by 2038. Her work uses Life Cycle Assessment methodologies alongside Techno-Economic Assessments. She aims to create an integrated methodology to evaluate the use of waste as a feedstock for bioenergy generation from all aspects of sustainability.
Prior to starting her PhD, Lois spent three years in industry as a liquids processing engineer at a FMCG company, most recently focusing on the construction of a new production site & bringing production systems to industry 4.0 standard. She holds an MEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh.
The Imperial Life Cycle Network’s Journal Club brings together researchers (staff and students) working with, and/or interested in, life cycle approaches to discuss relevant topics, facilitate knowledge sharing, network and build collaborations. The Journal Club is open to all academics. To register for the Journal club please email the Network using your university email address. You will then receive further information, including the link for the online meeting, shortly before the date of the Journal Club.