Back in July 2022, the Jet Zero Strategy was rolled out to bring together experts from the aviation and aerospace sectors, academies, innovators, international partners and the public.
The strategy was to form a Jet Zero Council that can work together to prevent the aviation sector from becoming one of largest emitting sectors by 2050, and instead secure a more sustainable outlook. It was discussed that goals should be set for all domestic flights in the UK to become net-zero by 2040, and for all airport operations in England to produce zero emissions by the same year.
Ultimately, the intentions are that the success of aviation must no-longer damage the planet. To do that, the aforementioned bodies are working towards creating new jobs and developing new industries with innovative new technologies that improve energy security across the nation.
Since its formation the unity has already made great progress, aiding the creation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK, which is produced by Phillips 66®. Commercial airline Jet2 have been utilising the fuel since 2023 and have managed to reduce their carbon emission by 80%. However, there are much more innovations needed to establish a more confident path towards net zero for the sector as a whole.
Commercial waste collection experts Skips and Bins, recently investigated other innovative efforts being and tested to help aid aviation commercial waste and sustainability goals.
Fuels
SAF
SAF has already brought improvements to the sector. It is made from a variety of feedstocks. These feedstocks can be created from domestic and commercial waste, or from recycled carbon fuels (RCFS) and animal waste. The British government has committed to incentives for producing SAF from wastes, residues or low carbon energy, which places the UK as the current global leader for the development, production and use of SAF.
By the end of 2023 the UK had invested in 26 million litres of SAF. This ultimately lead to the RAF flying the first wide bodied plane in the world running on 100% SAF transatlantic flight, which took off from London to New York at the end of 2023.
Lignin polymer
Scientists at Washington State University (WSU) have demonstrated a potential fuel that comes from the conversion of lignin polymers, which is the main component of plant cells. It was discovered that it can be used to as jet fuel and aid the performance of sustainably produced aviation fuels, if rolled our commercially.
Lead scientist and Professor of WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Bin Yang, commented saying: “Our achievement takes this technology one step closer to real-world use by providing data that lets us better gauge its feasibility for commercial aviation.”
Lignin polymer, which makes up the tough and sturdiness of plants, would make sustainable fuels cleaner and more easily usable in jet engines because it is dense, efficient and has seal-swelling qualities. The end goal is that hydrocarbon catalysed from lignin could effectively replace fossil fuel-derived compounds, which are called aromatics.
e-kerosene
e-kerosene is generated using hydrogen and CO2 and is close to being CO2 neutral. Unlike the organic materials used for traditional biofuels, e-kerosene utilises a more expandable source of feedstock: if the production of it involves additional renewable electricity and carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere, this could render e-kerosene close to being CO2 neutral.
There is a new law that has been introduced across the European market called ReFuelEU Aviation, which regulates the deployment of e-kerosene. The launch of it has made it compulsory for all jet fuel suppliers to combine a certain proportion of e-kerosene into the jet fuel they deliver to EU airports. This will begin at 1.2% in 2030 and will progress to 35% in 2050.
Design and Mobilities
Innovation for Aircraft Mobility
There is a trend shaping the aerospace sector that exploits urban air mobilities into commercial air travel and can establish a large mobility ecosystem. It is already used in electric vertical take-off landing (eVTOLs), and drones that generate zero emissions and utilises renewable energy. The eVTOL market is growing with Honda being a key player when looking at combining ground and air mobility layers to reduce the need for runways and travel time.
Volocopter (eVTOL) have been working on an innovation called Voloconnect that is undergoing tests for an entire fleet and are aiming to launch a new form of air travel service by 2026. This service could see business travellers and commuters being transported back and forth across California at speeds of between 60 and 120 mph.
Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter commented saying: “Having a whole family of electric aircraft in the test flight phase is a pioneering feat. Volocopter’s leadership in the industry stems from announcing plans and then delivering on them visibly with public test flights. Our technology platform is the foundation for our family of aircraft approach and has proven to deliver results at an astounding speed. Volocopter is bringing these innovative designs off the ground, into the air, and then to cities worldwide!”, so no doubt it will become available in the UK at some point.
Technologies
SDHDO
The Lignin polymer discussion comes with an innovative technology developed by WSU called simultaneous depolymerisation and hydrodeoxygenation” (SDHDO). It can be utilised to break down the lignin polymer into smaller molecules, while at same time removing oxygen. This process allows the lignin to be converted into hydrocarbon, which can then be used to produce lignin-based jet fuel.
The primary advancement that this discovery could bring to the table is the ability to execute the transformation without interruption, which would make it more suitable for large-scale manufacturing.
Aircraft Manufacturers Revolutionising Aviation
Aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus and Rolls-Royce are all looking to design aircrafts to become more efficient and reduce weight as part of their commitment to sustainability and environmental efforts. Boeing themselves have collaborated with NASA to work on a project called Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, to build, test and fly emission friendlier aircrafts. They have also partnered with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to support and promote SAF, Hydrogen and Electrification. They have been testing cryogenic fuel tanks that can be used to support hydrogen-based fuel in aviation.
Boeing themselves have invested $100 million into electric and hybrid-electric propulsion technology through varies partnerships and in-house projects that have the potential to revolutionise commercial aviation. They conclude that the collaboration of aerospace companies, research institutions and governments is crucial for overcoming the technical and infrastructural challenges associated with hydrogen.
Conclusion
The aviation sector has a tight goal to avoid its predicted outcome of becoming one of the biggest emitters by 2050. Fortunately, with Jet Zero Strategy being rolled out to connect key industries bodies, then there is potential for the sector to avoid this outcome. Especially with SAF being used commercially, and additional fuels being tested and discussed like e-kerosene and lignin-based fuel. We also have the development of a new sector that could see eVTOL becoming a major air service that will help to reduce emissions.
But with all of that said, the success of these innovations requires collaboration between governments, industry leaders, and research institutions. By investing in research and development, supporting the deployment of new technologies, and implementing policies that incentivise sustainable practices, the aviation sector can pave the way for a more sustainable future.
