The Challenge of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Reaching Net Zero Emissions
Commercial aviation is facing a challenge in reducing its impact on the climate, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 seeming out of reach. Sustainable aviation fuel is not being produced quickly enough, and there appear to be few alternatives on the horizon for fuel-hungry jet and turboprop engines. One of the issues is that electrification is not as easy with aircraft as it is with road vehicles. However, the Dutch startup Elysian is defying all odds with its plans for fully elec
trified planes.
The Future of Electric Air Travel
A new era of electric aviation is on the horizon, with the development of a revolutionary electric plane that can carry up to 90 passengers and travel 805 kilometers on a single charge. The aircraft, known as E9X, currently exists only on paper, but Elysian, the company behind the project, plans to build a scaled-down model within the next two to three years and a full-scale prototype by 2030, according to CNN.
“To create a successful electric plane, you need to start from scratch,” say the experts at the company. The E9X will feature eight propeller engines and a wingspan of nearly 42 meters, larger than that of a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, although both of these planes can carry twice as many passengers.
Revolutionizing Battery-Electric Aviation
A new design concept for battery-electric aviation is currently in development, aiming to accommodate more passengers and improve efficiency. This innovative design is a result of collaboration with the Delft University of Technology, the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. The principles of this design are outlined in a scientific article titled “A New Perspective on Battery-Electric Aviation,” authored by de Vries and Rob Walswinkel, co-founder of Elysian.
One key principle of this concept is the placement of batteries in the wings rather than in the fuselage of the aircraft. The battery technology utilized will be similar to what is currently available, with potential enhancements to improve performance and sustainability. This new approach to battery-electric aviation has the potential to revolutionize the industry and pave the way for more environmentally friendly air travel in the future.
The Future of Airplane Design
In the next four or five years, the aviation industry is set to see significant improvements in airplane design. Instead of a radical leap forward, these advancements will be incremental. According to the most conservative estimates, the range of the aircraft will be 482 kilometers, but we believe that a more realistic goal after four years is 805 kilometers,” say company officials.
One of the key design elements is the placement of the wheels, which are planned to be positioned in the wings of the aircraft rather than in its body. At the tips of the wings, which will be foldable, a gas turbine will be installed, playing the role of a “range extender.”
The Future of Air Travel: Electric Aircraft
Electric aircraft are becoming more and more popular as a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional planes. The new electric planes are equipped with advanced energy systems that reduce climate impact by 75 to 90% compared to current aircraft.
One of the main challenges with electric planes is the time needed for charging the batteries. This can make flight times longer compared to fueling up a traditional plane. The company’s current goal is to have a maximum charging time of 45 minutes, which would mean slightly longer flight times.
