#Sustainability20: Saudi Arabia Launches Cutting-Edge Air Mobility Initiative & More
Weekly Roundup - 02/02/24
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
The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia has introduced the "Enabling Advanced Air Transport in the Kingdom" initiative, aiming to transform the Saudi aviation sector into a Middle East leader in Advanced Air Mobility through sustainable technologies. This includes deploying unmanned aircraft systems and vertical take-off and landing aircraft to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, enhancing the mobility of people and goods.
Starting in 2025, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will require airlines to standardise environmental impact data for flights, enabling passengers to compare their environmental footprint easily. Participation in the scheme is voluntary, but participating airlines must submit comprehensive data for all flights regulated by EASA.
The International Council on Clean Transportation has updated the Travel Impact Model (TIM) to enhance aviation environmental impact assessment. Now including all 6 Kyoto greenhouse gases and well-to-tank emissions, the TIM will provide CO2 equivalent data for more accurate emission estimates on platforms like Google Flights.
As the first international airline member, Emirates has joined The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. This cross-sector collaboration focuses on creating low-carbon solutions for industry, transport, and households in the South Coast of England. The Solent Cluster, including over 100 members like ExxonMobil and the University of Southampton, plans to establish a SAF plant with a production capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year by 2032.
A study reveals clean cookstove projects aimed at reducing household air pollution and deforestation may overstate climate benefits by 1,000%. Despite their popularity in carbon-offset schemes, most don't meet WHO standards, potentially inflating their positive impact on climate and biodiversity. Certifiers Verra and Gold Standard dispute the findings, but the study suggests rule reforms could make cookstove projects a more reliable source of climate finance.
The Aviation Impact Accelerator and Breakthrough Energy Contrails team are developing tools to enhance public awareness of contrails' climate impact, constituting over 50% of aviation's global warming effect. They're exploring low-cost contrail mitigation strategies, like flight path adjustments.
CLIMATE WATCH: Panama Canal Drought Slows Cargo Traffic - The New York Times
The Panama Canal, reliant on Gatún Lake, faces unprecedented low water levels due to an El Niño-induced drought, forcing a 40% reduction in ship traffic. This shift has led to increased costs and carbon emissions as ships take longer routes, with Maersk moving some cargo to rail.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Iberia has introduced sustainable toiletry bags designed by Catalan designer Teresa Helbig, featuring natural, vegan cosmetics by Uvas Frescas from surplus wine grapes. Available in business and premium economy classes on long-haul flights, these kits, made from recycled plastic bottles, include essentials like socks, eye masks, and dental care. The kits are assembled by Envera, employing individuals with disabilities, underscoring social responsibility.
easyJet is partnering with the European Iris program, led by ESA and Viasat, to modernise air traffic management using satellite technology. This collaboration aims for fuel efficiency and emission reductions, contributing to the Single European Skies policy by providing a secure, continent-wide communication solution.
Saudi airline flynas has made notable strides towards zero-emission aviation, cutting carbon emissions by 161,000 tons in 18 months, equivalent to planting 6.44 million trees. The carrier's strategy includes fleet modernisation with Airbus A320neos, enhancing fuel efficiency, and embracing digital transformation for sustainability. Approximately 73% of its fleet now consists of A320neos.
Researchers at Empa in Switzerland have found that new blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft could significantly reduce noise pollution at airports, being up to 4.3 units less noisy than current models. These aircraft, integrating the fuselage with wings for reduced air resistance and fuel consumption, have gained interest recently.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
A Hong Kong business group promoting environmental sustainability has joined Cathay Pacific and 11 other partners to push for greater public-private collaboration to increase the adoption of SAF. They advocate for government policy support and task forces to achieve industry and global climate goals, aiming to make SAF commercially viable.
Lhyfe and SAF+ International Group have signed an MOU to produce eSAF using green hydrogen. They plan a facility in Le Havre, France, with Lhyfe building a green hydrogen production site to supply SAF+'s eSAF production site. This eSAF will be transported from Le Havre to Parisian airports and other French regions, leveraging the existing hydrocarbon transport network.
Sugar Valley Energy (SVE) plans to produce up to 61 million gallons of SAF annually. SVE, a 160-acre biorefinery campus developed by California Ethanol + Power, includes an ethanol facility, a bioelectric power island, and a wastewater treatment plant. Expected to create 15,000 jobs initially and support 2,000 agricultural jobs, SVE will also use locally grown sugarcane as feedstock. The project employs alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Sirius Aviation showcased its hydrogen-electric ducted fan propulsion system, aiming for zero-emission VTOL jets. In partnership with BMW Group Designworks and Sauber Group F1, they demonstrated the engine's water vapour emissions. The Sirius and Millennium jets, set for a 2025 debut, offer private and commercial options with ranges of 1,150 and 650 miles, cruise speeds of 323 mph, and noise levels at 60dBa, accommodating three and five passengers, respectively.
A Chinese prototype of a four-seat hydrogen internal combustion aircraft successfully completed its first flight in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The 8.2-meter-long aircraft can store 4.5 kilograms of high-pressure gas hydrogen, reaching a cruising speed of 180 km/h. Its hydrogen engine boasts over 43% thermal efficiency. Developed by the FAW Group, this marks China's first general aviation aircraft powered by a hydrogen internal combustion engine, which was tested on March 25, 2023.
European firms, including Airbus and four Scandinavian companies, have launched initiatives to transition to alternative fuels like hydrogen. Airbus is studying hydrogen infrastructure feasibility at over 50 airports in Norway and Sweden, aiming for SAF by renewable energy.
Loganair plans to launch the first-ever zero-emissions air service using a hydrogen-electric Britten-Norman Islander aircraft by 2027. The airline has signed an MOU with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to collaborate on the operational requirements, design, and infrastructure development, focusing on Kirkwall Airport and the Orkney region.
Beta Technologies has concluded its first deployment with the US Department of Defense (DOD), testing its electric Alia CTOL aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, involving performance evaluations and experimental operations. This collaboration, part of the Agility Prime program, explores electric aircraft's potential for DOD missions like resupply and personnel transport.
Eve Air Mobility has chosen RECARO Aircraft Seating to provide 75,000 seats for its eVTOL aircraft, with certification and production included. Deliveries are scheduled to start in Q1 2025, in sets of five seats each.
Safran and Turbotech have successfully tested a hydrogen-powered turboprop engine for light aircraft, using a Turbotech TP-R90 model engine. This marks a significant advancement in zero-carbon solutions for general aviation. The experiment was part of the "BeautHyFuel" project supported by France's civil aviation authority and other partners.