Europe Launches Major €1.6B Research Project for Greener Aviation
22 June 2007
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The scope of the Clean Sky JTI. Click to enlarge. |
At the Paris Air Show, European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik launched the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative. The Clean Sky JTI is a major public/private partnership to develop technology by 2015 that can reduce aviation CO2 emissions by 40%; NOx emissions by 60%; and noise by 50%. (Earlier post.)
The longer-term goal for 2020 is a 50% reduction in CO2 and an 80% reduction in NOx. Clean Sky will address three primary aircraft categories—long range, regional and rotorcraft—as well as overall engines and systems.
The EU will contribute €800 million (US$1.1 billion) from its Seventh Research Framework Programme, a sum that industry will match for an overall budget of about €1.6 billion (US$2.15 billion).
The Clean Sky JTI identifies six main areas—called Integrated Technology Demonstrators (ITDs)—for research development and demonstration:
The SMART fixed wing aircraft ITD focuses on active wing technologies that sense the airflow and adapt their shape as required, as well as on new aircraft configurations that can best incorporate these novel wing concepts.
The Green Regional Aircraft ITD focuses on low-weight configurations and technologies using smart structures, low-noise configurations and the integration of technology developed in other ITDs, such as engines, energy management and new configurations.
The Green Rotorcraft ITD focuses on innovative rotor blades and engine installation for noise reduction, lower airframe drag, diesel engine and electrical systems for fuel consumption reduction and environmentally friendly flight paths.
The Sustainable and Green Engine ITD seeks to integrate technologies for low noise and lightweight low pressure systems, high efficiency, low NOx and low weight. It will look at novel configurations such as open rotors or intercoolers.
The Systems for Green Operations ITD focuses on all-electric aircraft equipment and systems architectures, thermal management, capabilities for “green” trajectories and mission and improved ground operations.
The Eco-Design ITD addresses the full life cycle of materials and components, focusing on issues such as the best use of raw materials, decreasing the use of non-renewable materials, natural resources, energy, the emission of noxious effluents and recycling.
Clean Sky will also have a Technology Evaluator, whose role is to assess the contribution that the research results in the 6 areas will make to the environmental objectives of the program.
Clean Sky will include all major aeronautical players in Europe. The initial membership includes close to one hundred organizations active in aeronautical R&D and includes a large participation of SMEs, Research Centres and Universities. These JTI members will conduct the research, along with additional partners selected via open Calls for Proposals. Beyond the initial participants, other members may be selected in the future, which would mean participation of a few hundred organizations during the initial activity period of seven years (2007-2013).
Resources:
Being a pilot in training I am really watching any aviation measures closely. I would absolutely love for the aviation industry to get even cleaner. I am very pleased with the recent efforts to get there.
Posted by: Brad | 22 June 2007 at 11:08 AM
how about pumping that money into a trans europe rail network
that works , currently rail passengers emit one tenth of the Co2
per km of air passengers.
Posted by: | 23 June 2007 at 12:14 AM
the last post was from me , however with the new security here
on GCC , typepad just posted my comment without asking for my
identity , strange !
Posted by: | 23 June 2007 at 12:18 AM
and again , maybe someone should look into this !
Posted by: | 23 June 2007 at 12:20 AM