The potential long-term impact of this research is a cost-effective reduction in CO2 emissions from the transportation sector through breakthroughs in combustion and fuel formulation, providing societal and economic benefit. In the medium term, improved ICE efficiency will reduce CO2 emissions from legacy fuels derived primarily from non-renewable sources. In the longer term, higher ICE efficiencies will reduce the transport sector's overall fuel demand, thereby reducing the land-use and renewable energy requirements associated with the production of next-generation bio fuels and synthetic fuels.
Industry and policy makers will benefit from a clearer picture of the long-term future of the ICE in a low carbon economy, promoting evidence based decision-making on policy and R&D and manufacturing infrastructure investment.
The UK has a vibrant ICE manufacturing base that earns significant export revenue. The project will support the UK's ICE manufacturing industry, thereby providing economic benefit to the UK economy. The consideration of designed fuels is a significant opportunity for the UK's energy companies to develop new sustainable fuel products supporting their businesses transitioning into a low carbon economy.
The project will help develop the next generation of researchers in this important field. A significant number of researchers will be involved who are at an early stage of their careers. The highly collaborative nature of this project gives these individuals an excellent opportunity to develop their research careers either towards an academic path or into industry.
The project will also deliver a unique data set of optical measurements on novel combustion systems and designed fuels. This data is highly valuable to simulation code developers, both in the academic and industrial communities. The project will make much of this data 'open access', significantly enhancing the value of the data to these groups, accelerating research and commercial development in this area.
Finally, the project will leave a significant equipment legacy in terms of the engines at Brighton and at Brunel and optical equipment at Oxford and Brunel. It is the intention of the partners to build a lasting partnership in ICE combustion and fuels research to continue exploiting these world-leading facilities and provide ongoing support to the UK's OEMs, tier 1 and 2 suppliers and energy companies beyond the life of the project.