Airlines are increasingly concerned about the environment. We are seeing airlines acquire more fuel-efficient and offset emission-free aircraft, as well as the development of new aircraft technology.
Airbus unveiled zero-emission commercial aircraft concepts in September 2020. Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer now has four new concepts for aircraft using renewable energy propulsion technologies. These could be in service by 2030-2040...
Embraer's Energia fleet of aircraft
Embraer today announced the launch of a family concept aircraft to assist the industry in reaching its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Energia family includes four planes. They could have anywhere from 9 to 50 seats and could fly between 2030 and 2040. The aircraft are currently being evaluated to determine their technical and commercial viability. In other words, these planes could be retired from service. Only time will tell.
Embraer has joined an international consortium consisting of aeronautical research institutes and engineering universities to better understand the energy harvesting, storage and thermal management processes and their application for sustainable aircraft propulsion.
These four concept aircraft come in a variety of sizes and use different propulsion technologies such as electric, hydrogen fuel cells, dual fuel gas turbine and hybrid-electric.
Here's Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer’s SVP Engineering, Technology and Corporate Strategy, describing this latest move.
"We see ourselves as an innovator of new technologies that will help the industry reach its sustainability goals. Net zero is not possible with a single or easy solution. Over time, new technologies and the infrastructure that supports them will be available. Right now, we are working to develop the first plane concepts that can reduce emissions as soon as possible. It is ideal to test new propulsion technologies on small aircraft so they can be scaled up for larger aircraft. Our Energia family is an important platform.
Let's review the basic concepts of these four concepts.
Embraer Energia Hybrid
The Embraer Energia Hybrid
A hybrid-electric propulsion plane would be possible
Reduce CO2 emissions up to 90%
You would have nine seats
Would rear-mounted engines be preferred
This technology could be available by 2030
Embraer Energia Hybrid
Embraer Energia Electric
The Embraer Energia Electric
Full electric propulsion would be available
We would have zero CO2 emissions
You would have nine seats
Aft of contra-rotating propellers
This technology could be available by 2035
Embraer Energia Electric
Embraer Energia H2 Fuel Cell
The Embraer Energia H2 Fuel cell:
Hydrogen electric propulsion would be featured
We would have zero CO2 emissions
Would have 19 seats
Would be possible to have rear-mounted electric motors
This technology could be available by 2035
Embraer Energia H2 Fuel Cell
Embraer Energia H2 Gas Turbine
The Embraer Energia H2 gas turbine:
Hydrogen or SAF/JetA turbine propulsion would be used
Reduce CO2 emissions up to 100 percent
We would have 35-50 seats
Would rear-mounted engines be preferred
This technology could be available by 2040
Embraer Energia H2 Gas Turbine
Embraer's 2030 sustainable aviation fuel target
Embraer, apart from the Energia family of aircrafts, is working more quickly to reduce emissions by making all Ejets compatible with sustainable aviationfuel (SAF), which is a mixture of sugarcane and camelina-derived fuel and fossil-fuel. All Embraer aircraft will be SAF-compatible by 2030, according to the company.
Embraer is also working on other initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. Embraer flew its electric demonstrator in August 2020. It was a single-engine EMB-203 Ipanema powered 100% by electricity. Embraer is developing its eVTOL (fully-electric, zero-emission vertical takeoff and landing vehicle), which will be in service in 2026.
Bottom line
Embraer's new Energia aircraft design has been revealed. It is a series of four sustainably built aircraft that can seat anywhere from 9 to 50 people. These planes are still in their early stages and it is unknown if they will ever fly.
It's generally a good thing to see aircraft manufacturers invest resources in exploring this new technology, as it will eventually be vital. There are many logistical issues (aircraft pricing and electric charging, getting this technology on larger aircrafts, etc. However, I believe that there are many logistical challenges that can be overcome over time.
Similar to the Wright brothers, I believe they would have believed there would be logistical difficulties to a double-decker aircraft with a shower and bar. But here we are, that plane is almost obsolete technology! I'm sure the Wright brothers would have thought there would be logistical challenges to a double-decker plane with a bar and shower. But here we are -- that plane is about to become obsolete technology!
What do you think of Embraer’s new sustainable aircraft designs?
