The SynergyFuel project will facilitate a research partnership between both countries supporting climate action and providing policy pathways to decarbonise the heavy-duty transport sector
South East Technological University (SETU) is delighted to announce that Dr Ashish Vashishtha has been awarded funding under the Irish Research Council (IRC)’s New Foundations programme for his ‘SynergyFuel’ research project.
New Foundations awards help civic society organisations and Government departments to devise evidence-based strategies and policies. The projects reach communities across the country and beyond, focusing on diverse societal challenges and government policy issues. This year, the New Foundations programme features five strands run in partnership with Government Departments and agencies, strengthening the connections between Government and the public research system.
Dr Vashishtha, a member of engCORE and lecturer in Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering in Carlow, is one of just four projects funded by The Department of Foreign Affairs (Irish Aid) under the ‘A Better World’ strand, aiming to support consortia for global north-south research partnerships.
SynergyFuel: Techno-economic, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Waste to synthetic biofuel technologies in Circular Economy is the title of Dr Vashishtha’s research project. Dr Vashishtha will partner with Dr Hong Nam Nguyen from the University of Science & Technology of Hanoi (USTH) in Vietnam on the project which aims to develop research partnerships between Ireland and Vietnam, supporting climate action and providing policy pathways to decarbonise the heavy-duty transport sector, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Synthetic biofuels from waste and residues play an important role in the net-zero by 2050 pledge made by 137 countries at COP26, including Ireland and Vietnam. Synthetic biofuels from non-crop resources should meet 45% of total biofuel demand by 2030, compared with 7% in 2020. Among biochemical and thermochemical technologies, the latter is found to be beneficial for producing higher volumes of biofuel in a shorter time, co-producing electricity with flexible feedstocks and use of by-product by agricultural sector and industry.
Commenting on the importance of the project, Dr Cathal Nolan, Head of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering said: “The Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at SETU Carlow is delighted that this international collaboration with USTH will allow Dr Vashishtha continue his research into waste to liquid biofuel technologies. This research aims to decarbonise the heavy-transport-sector by reducing usage of fossil fuel and reusing the waste, which is currently either exported or going to landfill. The study will lead to technological, economical and societal advantages.”
Speaking of the partnership Dr Vashishtha and Dr Nam Nguyen said, "Ireland and Vietnam share a common interest in developing renewable energy and a circular economy. Therefore, research surrounding the issue of waste-to-energy is of great interest to both countries. The grant from the Irish Research Council opens up a great opportunity for collaboration between USTH and SETU.”