TECHNICAL SPOT

future energy sources

REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE

Like most types of transport, the aviation industry depends on fossil fuels. However, fuel supplies are becoming uncertain, more expensive and can cause environmental harm. 

In the last 40 years, aircraft fuel consumption and emissions have been reduced by 75 per cent as the result of technological advances and positive steps across the aviation sector. The industry contributes 2 per cent to man-made CO2 emissions, with 80 per cent of these from flights of over 1,500 km. / 900 mi. for which there are not practical alternative transportation options.

As air transport demand grows, performance must also continue improving, which is why the aviation industry is determined to achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020 and to cut CO2 emissions in half by 2050 when compared to 2005 levels.

EFFICIENT FUEL USE

In order to meet the industry’s eco-efficiency goals, aircraft manufacturers must ensure every drop of fuel is used efficiently and develop new ecologically-sound alternatives. 

Some 90 per cent of the €2 billion Airbus spends on research and development is directed at improving the environmental performance of both existing and future aircraft.

Airlines already are seeing the benefits with jetliners like the double-decker A380, which only produces about 75 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre – well below the current and anticipated future international limits. However, there is always room for improvement, and Airbus is actively engaged in a full range of initiatives and actions to further improve the air transport sector’s eco-efficiency.

In the future, finding even more ways to power aircraft must be found. As one of the first aviation companies to understand this, Airbus has a long track record of working with experts from across the industry to explore solutions.

 

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL

 IDENTIFYING NEW SOURCES

Airbus encourages the development of second-generation biofuels which do not compete with food production or water use.

Traditionally, carbon based/kerosene-like fuels have proven to be the best energy source for aircraft because of intangibles such as the ability to maintain stable temperatures. Sustainable aviation fuels offer many of the same benefits, and can also be used without having to change a jetliner’s propulsion system. 

Sustainable aviation fuel are made from living things or the waste these organisms produce. Some of these fuels come from crops or land resources that compete with food production or water use. However, Airbus encourages the development of second-generation sustainable aviation fuels – known as biomass – which eliminates such competition. Source options being investigated include algae, woodchip waste, camelina, halophytes such as salicornia (plants growing in salt water), waste produce and yeast. 

For example, certain types of algae sea water combined with sun and carbon can become a “biomass” plant. These offer promising options for large scale production of a fuel that is very similar to kerosene.

DEVELOPING CURRENT SOURCES

Airbus uses local knowledge to identify the best fuel source for each country by helping to connect farmers, refiners, governments and airlines. Farmers are encouraged to use non-arable land with the confidence that the crop will be bought by refiners. Additionally, producing sustainable aviation fuel close to where airlines need it minimises emissions created through transporting the liquid to the point of use. Programmes have already been established in Brazil, Qatar, Romania, Spain and Australia. Airbus also has partnered with China’s Tsinghua University and the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to explore fuel sources, develop a value chain and produce a certified aviation fuel for this country – which is among the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

Currently, researchers in Brazil are working on a bio-jet fuel created from the jatropha plant, with 4,000 hectares being grown for production. Airbus also teamed with Virgin Australia Airlines to support the cultivating of eucalyptus in Australia, while in Spain, the company is supporting the development of 2,000 hectares of camelina for aviation fuel. Additionally, Airbus is endorsing an initiative in Qatar to transform micro-algae into a sustainable source. 

Numerous successful test flights already have been carried out using these fuels, and Airbus believes sustainable aviation fuels could provide up to one-third of all commercial aviation jet fuel by 2030 if sources can be produced in sufficient quantities.