#Sustainability20: Wisk Completes First Public Demo Of Autonomous eVTOL Flight & Other Stories In Aviation
Weekly Roundup - 28/07/23
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
Boeing and NASA are collaborating with U.S. airlines Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United for the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project and the creation of the X-66A research aircraft. The aircraft, set to test the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing design, aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30%. The airlines will provide feedback on sustainable operations, airport compatibility, and the vehicle’s handling characteristics throughout the project, with flight testing scheduled for 2028-2029.
United Airlines Ventures has expanded its Sustainable Flight Fund to nearly $200 million and added eight new partners, aiming to boost the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Customers can contribute to the fund during flight bookings, with over $200,000 raised so far.
A debate is ongoing between SAF producers and environmental groups regarding whether SAF derived from corn-based ethanol and other crops should be eligible for a tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. The dispute centres around differing methods for calculating the environmental impact of these fuels, particularly with regards to land use changes. SAF producers advocate for the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model, while environmental groups prefer the United Nations' Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) model.
Rising global temperatures are compelling airlines to adjust operations, including reducing fuel loads, removing passengers or baggage, or delaying flights until cooler evening hours. This is because high temperatures can impair engine performance and limit lift capabilities of aircraft wings, posing potential safety risks.
A Greenpeace report reveals that travelling by train in Europe costs on average four times more than flying, terming the price difference as "outrageous". The study attributes this discrepancy to an uneven regulatory landscape favouring low-cost airlines. Shifting from air to rail could notably reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study found flights cheaper on 70% of routes, with trains twice as costly on average.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
In an interview to ET Infra, Kyle Mabry, American Airlines' Vice President for Operations and Commercial, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), outlines that the airline invested more than $24 billion to acquire 600 new, more fuel-efficient planes, making its mainline fleet the youngest among all US network airlines and is increasing its uptake of sustainable aviation fuel.
The LATAM Group has eliminated 88% of single-use plastics on its aircraft as part of its sustainability strategy. This equates to 1.6 tons of material, or 266 million plastic bags. The airline has introduced sustainable alternatives like bamboo fibre cutlery, reusable trays, and certified sustainable paper cups on flights. It aims to completely eliminate single-use plastics by 2023 and achieve zero waste by 2027.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
International Airlines Group (IAG) has invested in cleantech company Nova Pangaea Technologies, which turns agricultural waste into bioethanol, a precursor to SAF. This investment supports the creation of the UK's first waste-to-fuel production facility, intending to produce biofuels by 2025. IAG aims to operate 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030.
Air Canada is partnering with New York-based Air Company to develop "power-to-liquid" SAF in Canada by 2025. Air Company produces SAF by using renewable electricity to create green hydrogen, which is then combined with captured carbon dioxide. The partnership aims to expand the development of SAF, a crucial measure in reducing the aviation industry's emissions.
Singapore could lead Southeast Asia in the adoption of SAFs, as it aims to decarbonise its aviation sector. Despite challenges like regulatory frameworks and feedstock availability, the country is well-placed due to its status as a refinery, aviation, and financial hub. The First Movers Coalition, a World Economic Forum initiative, may further catalyse SAF adoption by fostering partnerships and encouraging innovation.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has initiated a project in Copenhagen's airport to enhance SAF infrastructure. The project aims to optimise SAF supply, evaluate new propellants, conduct cost-benefit analysis for efficient supply, and monitor emissions to maximise greenhouse gas reduction.
McDermott International has signed a Master Services Agreement with Gevo to provide engineering and planning services for multiple SAF facilities in North America. The first, Net-Zero 1, to be built in South Dakota, will produce up to 65 million gallons of SAF, diesel and renewable gasoline with a net-zero greenhouse gas footprint. The project will be powered by wind energy and renewable natural gas from manure.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Wisk Aero, an Advanced Air Mobility leader, successfully demonstrated the first public flight of its fully autonomous, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, Cora. The milestone included multi-transition and manoeuvring flights, marking significant advancements in autonomous technology and electric propulsion.
Vertical Aerospace successfully tested its battery-powered electric aircraft at Cotswold Airport, UK. The VX4, reaching speeds over 40mph, demonstrated excellent stability and control. The company, partnered with Honeywell and Rolls Royce, aims for aircraft certification by 2026.
LYTE Aviation is developing the LA-44 'SkyBus', a 44-seat hybrid hydrogen-electric aircraft inspired by the 1950s Fairey Rotodyne. Offering low emissions and noise pollution, the aircraft aims to disrupt regional aviation and transportation with its 1000 km range and vertiport compatibility.
South Korean airline Hi-Air will receive 30 hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft from PLANA starting in 2031, according to a recently signed LOI and MoU. The agreement includes collaboration on passenger and cargo transportation models using eVTOLs.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anticipates that air taxis and flying cars will be operating in significant numbers over urban areas by 2028, according to their "Innovate28" report. The FAA plans to utilise existing procedures and infrastructure to make the introduction of these new technologies more routine and predictable. The first commercial flights are expected to start in 2025.
United Airlines has invested in Electric Power Systems (EPS), a company specialising in aerospace battery technology. The collaboration aims to improve operational efficiency using EPS's adaptable battery modules, supporting United's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
COMAC, CATL, and Shanghai Jiaotong University have established a joint venture, COMAC CATL Aviation Co., Ltd., to research and develop a fixed-wing electric aircraft. The venture, which will utilise CATL's solid-state battery technology, is still in the early stages. The project aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in civil aviation.
The Latvian Hydrogen Association and Riga Airport have partnered to support Hamburg Airport's initiative to promote hydrogen solutions in the aviation industry. The partnership aims to develop a green, gaseous hydrogen supply chain and to adapt airport infrastructure for hydrogen-powered aircraft. The project also aims to revitalise regional air traffic with hydrogen-powered planes.