The World Economic Forum identified three essential strategies that the aviation industry must implement in order to become carbon neutral by 2050, they announced recently. Aviation accounts for 3% of worldwide human-generated CO2 emissions and could reach a staggering 22% without taking immediate action! An overview of the size of this issue was provided to demonstrate why urgent measures need to be taken.
1. Sustainable aviation fuels
The first step is to make flying more efficient. This involves investing in newer, lighter aircraft that are powered by cleaner fuels. Airlines can also save fuel by optimizing flight paths and reducing the amount of weight each plane carries. Additionally, better aerodynamics can be achieved through improved engine designs and the use of advanced navigation software.
Airlines need to invest in alternative fuels that have lower emissions than traditional fossil fuels like jet fuel. To do this, they must collaborate with other industries such as chemical companies or oil refineries to develop new sources of energy. This could include biofuels, hydrogen-powered engines, solar-powered planes, or electric-hybrid planes.
The article points out that one potential solution is to replace kerosene, which is traditionally used to fuel airplanes, with sustainable alternatives made from forestry or agriculture water fossil fuels. This gives the potential to reduce airline CO2 emissions by about 70%, the article notes.
2. Rethink How Aero Engines Are Designed
To take sustainability efforts one step further in the aviation industry, a complete transformation of engine design is now essential.
Unlike the older, enclosed airplane engine blades, modern designs are innovating open fan architecture which not only improves fuel efficiency but also significantly reduces flight emissions.
By removing the blade casing, there is less weight to bear, resulting in greater flight efficiency. Moreover, with an open design system, bigger fan blades can be incorporated; these create higher volumes of air circulation surrounding the engine instead of flowing through it and accordingly decreasing drag.
By the mid-2030s, open fan architecture engines could be introduced to provide greater compatibility with alternative fuels such as SAF and hydrogen.
3. New propulsion systems
Thirdly, aviation technology must become smarter so that it can operate more sustainably. This includes the development of new propulsion systems.
Hybrid electric propulsion is revolutionizing aircraft design by introducing a brand-new type of power unit.
“New propulsion technologies will play an important role in achieving aviation’s net-zero goals, along with new aircraft designs and sustainable energy sources,“ Sabine Klauke, Chief Technology Officer at aviation manufacturer Airbus, told Avionics International.
Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, GKN Aerospace and Collins Aerospace have joined forces with the University of Stuttgart to form a consortium on the Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electrics (SWITCH) project. This powerful partnership will revolutionize aviation and aerospace technology while creating more sustainable solutions that benefit us all!
The aviation industry needs to make drastic changes if it is going to become carbon neutral by 2050. The three strategies outlined here are essential for progress toward this goal, and airlines must work together with governments and other industries to implement them quickly and effectively. With determined action and collaboration, we may just be able to achieve this ambitious but necessary target.
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