On March 11, 2014, Airbus Group had the first-ever flight of the fully electric E-Fan aircraft, thus heralding a major research initiative that is going to transform aviation at least environmentally. At the moment, the E-Fan aircraft, a two-seater, is slated for 2017 entry into service, but Airbus is toying with the idea of an electric-powered regional aircraft of up to 80 seats. Highly ambitious, but scientific perseverance has shown that it is doable, albeit it may take time. Concerned about the long-term when there would be considerable pressure on fuel, Airbus, like other airframers, is working on developing this technology, aiming to reduce further the carbon dioxide emissions attributed to aircraft. The E-Fan aircraft has been designed for electrical propulsion, from its energy management system to safety features and without doubt has a solid environmental footprint. Airbus Group’s Chief Technical and Innovation Officer, Jean Botti, said, “It’s a very different way of flying, absolutely no noise, no emissions.”

A series of lithium-ion batteries fitted into the wings of the plane are the sole power source for the E-Fan’s two 30-kilowatt (kW) electric motors. A 6-kW electric motor in the main wheel provides extra power during acceleration and taxiing to reduce electrical power consumption on the ground. The E-Fan presently which is in an experimental stage can fly for one-hour which means it has to keep an airport in the vicinity and fly. To combat range anxiety, the plane is outfitted with a backup battery for landing purposes and a parachute that can be deployed as high as 2,000 feet. There is a gauge on the dashboard which indicates how much energy is still in the batteries and when it needs to recharge.

Airbus is working on the E-Fan and is looking at a hybrid-electric commuter jet which will have a three-hour flying time, maybe by 2050. Initial designs of the E-Thrust aircraft show the plane with six electric-powered fans that will be powered by a gas-fuelled energy storage unit during the ascent and cruise phase and then glide using electric power alone while descending. In the next step toward achieving this, Airbus will make a next-generation two-seater electric plane, set for launch in 2017 and a four-seater electric plane with a gas-powered range extender, set for launch in 2019.

SUGAR Coated

Similarly, the other mega aerospace major, Boeing is working on green designs. Two teams led by Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T) have completed 18-month studies on that question and have submitted their findings to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under a programme called N+3, which denotes three generations beyond the current transport fleet.

After examining various subsonic and supersonic concepts, the teams have come up with potential configurations that may offer dramatic improvements in operational and environmental performance over the aircraft of today to meet aggressive goals set by NASA.

The Boeing subsonic team, which includes BR&T, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, General Electric and Georgia Tech, has looked at five concepts as part of the SUGAR (Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research) project. The concepts include two conventional reference configurations, similar in appearance to a 737 (nicknamed SUGAR Free and Refined SUGAR), two versions of a new design high span, strut-braced wing aircraft (referred to as SUGAR High and SUGAR Volt), and a hybrid wing body configuration (called SUGAR Ray).

In a report submitted to NASA in late February 2012, titled “N+4 Advanced Vehicle Concept Study,” the team described the performance of a methane-fuelled aircraft concept and the development of several advanced fuel and energy technology options for 2040 to 2050.These include hybrid battery-gas turbine propulsion, fuel cells, fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid propulsion systems, cryogenic fuels (liquefied natural gas/methane and hydrogen), cryogenically cooled engines and associated technologies, advanced batteries and open rotor/turboprop technologies.

New Solar Impulse Challenge on the Horizon

Several commercial air carriers, including Lufthansa, Alaska Air and United Airlines are also reducing their carbon footprints by developing and testing their planes on biofuels. To help increase fuel availability, British Airways announced a partnership to create a new jet fuel from municipal waste.

IATA Roadmap

Since the early days of jet aircraft, aviation has dramatically improved its environmental performance. Since the 1960s, fuel efficiency has improved by some 70 per cent per passenger km. Today’s aircraft are 75 per cent quieter than those manufactured 50 years ago and levels of carbon monoxide have come down by 50 per cent and unburned hydrocarbons and smoke by around 90 per cent. IATA encourages the use of voluntary initiatives to address environmental impacts from aviation and promotes the use of industry best practices where possible. Voluntary initiatives can be tailored to the specific needs of governments, industry and other stakeholders. They provide more flexibility and cost savings than regulatory measures, especially market-based measures.

In order to further reduce aviation’s impact on the environment, IATA has set up several programmes to assist airlines in improving their environmental performance: Alternative fuels, Carbon Offset Programme and Environmental Assessment. IATA is also working on several initiatives on cargo sustainability. In partnership with industry stakeholders and governments, IATA is focused on developing sensible environmental policies to enable and promote sustainable and eco-efficient air transport. IATA advocates that as a global industry, aviation requires global solutions.

Euruopean Union’s Flight Path 2050

A highly environmentally conscious Europe has defined the environmental footprint in its Flight Path 2050. The goals it has set for 2050 include a 75 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions per passenger kilometre to support the ATAG target and a 90 per cent reduction in NOx emissions, perceived noise emission of flying aircraft reduced by 65 per cent, Aircraft movements are emission-free when taxiing, recyclable air vehicles etc.

Fly-360-Green

Fly-360-Green is a third-party certification programme developed by the World Green Aviation Council (WorldGAC) to provide airlines and aircraft operators a common framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable processes, innovative practices, operations and maintenance solutions. It is a performance-based green aviation assessment tool and a benchmark for High Performing Airlines/Aircraft Operators. It is a point based rating system where points are earned for aviation attributes considered environmentally beneficial. Fly-360-Green differs from other rating systems in that it has quantified most of the “green credits”. This ensures that airlines are environmentally compatible, retain high quality standards and are profitable. The WorldGAC is an international organisation dedicated to advancing a greener and more sustainable aviation industry through fuel efficiency, water conservation, noise and greenhouse gas reduction. WorldGAC reviews, certifies and verifies airlines and operators to best determine compliance to Fly-360-Green certification standards, a world standard for sustainable aviation.

First Sustainable Airport in the US

While airlines/aircraft continue to work on improving aircraft efficiency, on ground the airports too are investing in sustainable airports. The Chicago Department of Aviation is the first in the US to develop sustainable guidelines for design and construction at airports. The Sustainable Airport Manual was created as an integral part of Chicago’s ongoing efforts toward implementing more environmentally sustainable initiatives across all airport activities.

Hong Kong World’s Greenest Airport?

To become the world’s greenest airport, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is using a three-year environmental plan. This plan was established in 2011 and updated in 2012, when it was made into a rolling plan consisting of more than 120 initiatives that address a range of issues such as carbon reduction, energy savings, air quality management, waste and water management.

HKIA participates Airport Carbon Accreditation, a programme started in Europe by Airports Council International that assesses airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their carbon emissions. In March 2013, it received an “Optimisation” certificate and became the first and only airport in the Asia-Pacific region to reach this standard. The optimisation level is the programme’s second-highest level and the highest rating achieved by an airport in the region. To attain this accreditation, an airport must engage with stakeholders including airlines, caterers, ground handlers and others to calculate and lower their carbon footprints together.

Sustainable Airport Solutions

Green Sustainable Airports (GSA), formerly known as Sustainable Airport Solutions, is an international cooperation project focusing on accelerating the process of ‘greening’ airport operations. Unfortunately, every day airport operations entail considerable impact on the environment. The Ground Power Units (GPUs) for example, are responsible for noise and CO₂ emissions, while runway lighting requires an enormous energy use.

In order to design a more sustainable and environmental friendly future of airport operations, the GSA partnership is developing a joint strategy, toolkit and model on eco-efficient airport operations. At Groningen Airport, bio-diesel powered GPUs is being jointly developed and tested, while Southend Airport is working towards a certification of energy-efficient LED runway lighting. Further, Billund Airport is developing and implementing specific components, radiators and compressors for green aircraft heating and cooling through green energy supply and geothermal cooling.

One can see that airlines, airports and other stakeholders are concerned about the environment and have invested time and money in coming up with green initiatives that are sustainable. As green aviation involves activities to improve aircraft fuel efficiency, develop the next generation of efficient air traffic control and develop new technologies/systems engineering processes to reach the future of carbon-neutral air transportation across the globe.