Bold, rapid investment in research and innovation is needed to steer aviation firmly on a course
towards climate neutrality by 2050.
The aviation sector has
suffered immensely as
a result of the Covid-19
pandemic, but in times
of crisis opportunity can arise.
This is our chance to leverage
innovative clean technology to spur
a competitive Green Recovery for
aviation, in line with the ambitions of
the European Green Deal.
We are not starting from zero – the
industry has shown its commitment
and started its green journey long
ago. At Clean Sky we have already
identified and delivered promising
technologies and routes to zerocarbon
aviation. Our European
Partnership has been fuelling
innovative developments in clean
aviation technology since 2008, and
since then we have made crucial
strides towards climate-neutral flight.
We are exploring radical new aircraft
configurations, eco-friendly engines,
new systems technologies and
airframes, innovations for large
passenger aircraft and fast rotorcraft
as well as regional aircraft and
small air transport such as business
jets. We leverage cutting-edge
technologies like artificial intelligence
and machine learning to ensure that
our innovations are developed to the
highest possible standard. I highly
recommend that you visit our online stand to get a taste of what Clean
Sky is currently working on, or read our Highlights report to find out about
our key achievements in 2020.
Some particularly interesting
innovations include the TechTP,
a sustainable low-fuel low-noise
engine demonstrator for small aircraft
and the UltraFan, a technology
demonstrator for the next generation
of environmentally-friendly gas
turbines for large commercial aircraft.
Two new projects have recently
been added to our online stand:
the electrical Environmental ControlSystem processes external air from
outside the aircraft for better cabin
pressurisation and air conditioning,
while the MultiFunctional Fuselage Demonstrator utilises
the full potential of thermoplastic
composites to help future European
airliner production become faster,
greener and more competitive!
The technologies being developed
by Clean Sky are just the beginning
of the story. Once the concepts
are proven and tested on our
demonstrators, they must undergo
a series of further steps before they
can enter the market. The timeframes
for the development and subsequent
adoption of new aviation technology
by global fleets is long – and we do
not have much time.
It is important to understand that if
we want to have a climate-neutral
aircraft fleet by 2050, we need to
start phasing carbon-neutral aircraft
into the current fleet no later than
2035. The time between now and
the end of this decade is therefore
vital to identify, develop, mature
and demonstrate the necessary
technologies. We envisage that major
flight and ground tests need to be
carried out by 2027/2028 to secure
climate-neutral aviation by 2050.
Time is of the essence!
The European Partnership for Clean Aviation
To reach the ambitious climate
objectives, and in close collaboration
with the European Commission, the
European aeronautics sector has
worked out a Strategic Research and
Innovation Agenda for Clean Aviation,
spanning 2021-2031.
The new European Partnership
for Clean Aviation will launch later
this year, and three main thrusts
will be pursued as part of the its
programme: hybrid electric and full
electric concepts, ultra-efficient
aircraft architectures, and disruptive
technologies to enable hydrogenpowered
aircraft.
The three thrusts will culminate in a
new breed of regional, short haul and short/medium haul airliners which
we anticipate will reach the market
by 2030 for an entry into service by
2035. These new aircraft are likely
to constitute 75% of the world’s
commercial airline fleet by 2050
and thus will have a major impact
on aviation emissions and climate
impact.
On 22 April 2020, Clean Sky's
Spring Event: Clean Aviation for
a Competitive Green Recovery
in Europe: Innovative Ideas Take
Flight took place. I was delighted
to welcome politicians, CEOs and
aviation experts from across Europe
to discuss how to best prepare for a
competitive and sustainable recovery
for the aviation sector.
Two key themes emerged from
the event: that the challenge
ahead is tremendous and should
not be underestimated, but that
nevertheless, we have the capacity
and competence to succeed if
sufficient investment and support is
provided now.
The European Commissioner for
Transport, Adina Vălean, brought
a hopeful message with her as
she addressed the audience. She
recognised that "we are faced with a
formidable challenge" but said that
"recovery is a primary focus; and this
recovery is an opportunity to shape
the future of the aviation sector."
Clean Aviation could lead us out
of the economic recession caused
by Covid-19. Europe is currently a
world leader in sustainable aviation
technology, and by strengthening
our commitment in this sector,
there is the potential to significantly
revive the European economy
while simultaneously achieving our
ambitious environmental objectives.
"Leading on sustainable aircraft will
give a competitive advantage to the
European aviation industry," said
the European Commissioner for the
Internal Market, Thierry Breton, while
speaking at the Spring Event.
Clean Sky's ethos of bringing together
industry, academia, research centres
and SMEs is a recipe for success.
Our projects benefit from the
innovative edge of SMEs, the cuttingedge
knowledge of academics and
the research centres, as well as
the market-driven expertise of the
European aviation industry.
Jean-Eric Paquet, the Director-
General of the European
Commission’s Directorate of Research
and Innovation, focused on this
aspect as he addressed the audience
at the Spring Event:
"I'm impressed by how the EU
aviation industry is now coming
together, including the research
organisations and knowledge
networks across our SME and
innovation ecosystems to bring
Europe's industry into a clean future.
I think Europe now has a head start
and my expectation is very much
that the proposed Clean Aviation
Partnership really allows us to ensure
that we keep this head start. You can
count on DG Research and Innovation
to help you… to set up the new
Partnership!"
The future of sustainable aviation
looks bright, but we should not
underestimate the magnitude of
the challenge ahead of us. We do
not have much time. Ambitious,
fearless investment in research and
innovation is needed NOW to make
our climate neutrality aspirations a
reality by 2050.
At Clean Sky, we are ready to take
on this challenge. Clean Sky has so
far yielded very encouraging results
and I look forward to seeing the
contribution of Clean Aviation to
achieving the European Green Deal.