#Sustainability20: NASA And MagniX Unveil Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstrator & More
Weekly Roundup - 30/08/24
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry Updates
Two airports from India, Delhi and Bengaluru, have achieved level 5 certification of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, joining 14 other global airports leading in environmental sustainability and making them the first to do so in Asia by reducing their CO2 emissions by over 90%.
The Australian government is allocating A$1.7 billion to support low-carbon aviation fuel technologies. This initiative, part of the recently released Aviation White Paper, aims to develop domestic SAF production and new feedstock sources.
At Dubai Airports, three Emirati women play crucial roles in reducing its carbon footprint by implementing initiatives that have significantly reduced emissions across energy-saving retrofit projects, waste management, and procurement processes.
CLIMATE WATCH: Canada’s 2023 wildfires released more greenhouse gases than most countries - The Guardian
Canada's 2023 wildfires released more greenhouse gases than some of the largest emitting countries, raising concerns about the reliability of forests as carbon sinks. The emissions exceeded those of Germany, Japan, and Russia.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Icelandair has unveiled its second-generation business-class amenity kits, featuring sustainable materials and local design elements. The kits, designed by Skysupply, incorporate artwork by Icelandic artist Sara Riel and include eco-friendly items.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Brazil's federal government has launched a call for business plans focused on developing sustainable aviation and marine fuels. With an investment of nearly USD 1 billion, the initiative aims to promote biorefineries in Brazil.
Chinese biofuel firm Zhejiang Jiaao Enprotech has entered an investment deal with BP for its SAF unit. BP will invest 354 million yuan for a 15% stake in the company building a SAF plant.
Iberia Maintenance begins to use 5% SAF at La Muñoza, becoming the first in Spain to use SAF continuously in aero maintenance. Cepsa will supply over 36 tonnes of SAF produced from waste and used oils this year, saving 115 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Acer, Cathay Cargo, and Dimerco Express Group are collaborating to reduce carbon emissions in aviation. They have agreed to support SAF use on Cathay Cargo flights from 2024.
Hong Kong-based renewable fuels producer EcoCeres has partnered with Evos, a liquids and chemical storage group, to increase SAF supplies in Europe. The company has shipped 10 million litres of sustainable blending component to Evos' storage facility in Ghent, Belgium.
European aircraft operator DC Aviation has signed an agreement with AEG Fuels to replace a portion of its fleet emissions via a SAF book-and-claim agreement. This allows DC to offset emissions from fuel consumption at Malta International Airport.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
NASA and MagniX unveiled a de Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft they're retrofitting with a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The project, part of NASA's Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration programme, aims to reduce fuel burn and emissions.
Hyundai subsidiary Supernal aims for first flight of its full-scale eVTOL technology demonstrator later this year. The company targets being 'first to scale' in the sector, leveraging Hyundai's manufacturing capabilities.
Boom Supersonic has completed the second test flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft in California. The flight focused on evaluating critical systems, including landing gear and a digital stability augmentation system.
H3 Dynamics has been selected as the fuel cell supplier for the EU-funded HyPoTraDe project. The company will provide aviation-grade fuel cell systems for a 500kW modular fuel cell-battery hybrid-electric distributed electric propulsion powertrain.
NASA has awarded Whisper Aero a contract to design a quiet and efficient cabin ventilation system for crewed spacecraft. The company's electric ducted fan technology could potentially extend to larger space habitats.
Swiss startup Dufour Aerospace has conducted the first hover flight of its production-ready Aero2 tiltwing hybrid-electric VTOL uncrewed aircraft prototype. The aircraft, designed for multiple missions, is planned for production deliveries in 2025.
SkyDrive, a Japanese eVTOL manufacturer, has completed an additional Series C funding round, raising eight billion yen. The investment will support development, certification activities, and preparation for mass production.
UAE’s EANAN has successfully completed a test flight for its "RIKAZ" Heavy Cargo VTOL drone. The UAV can carry payloads up to 200kg, with a flying speed of 60 km/h and a range of 30 km.
Climate Impulse, led by Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard, plans to circumnavigate Earth in 2028 using a hydrogen-powered aircraft. The project aims to prove hydrogen's viability for decarbonising commercial air travel and develop extended hydrogen-powered flight technology.
Aurora Flight Sciences has completed a seven-hour test flight with SKIRON-XLE, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered drone. The flight marked a progression in endurance for Group 2 drones, depleting all hydrogen tanks whilst maintaining battery safety margins.