Sustainable aviation has become a key discussion point in global aviation and a significant theme at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow. From world-recognized companies to small manufacturers, it seems every organization is trying its hand at making aerospace a cleaner, greener industry. Like many other companies, Boeing has committed to the widely agreed-upon goal of net zero emission by 2050 and unveiled the Cascade data modeling tool, which outlines the most effective scenarios for reaching this goal.
“We are embarked as pioneers on a new science and industry…Our job is to keep everlastingly at research and experiment, to adapt our laboratories to production as soon as practicable.” - Boeing founder Bill Boeing in 1929.
Boeing chief sustainability officer Chris Raymond shared this quote at the beginning of Boeing's media briefing on Monday as a source of inspiration. The earth faces a climate crisis as increasing emissions have caused a significant rise in global temperatures over the past century and many industries have begun to step up to the challenge of reducing emissions. Driving and flying less isn’t an option in today’s mobile, globalized world. Studies cited during Boeing’s briefing suggest that by 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in big cities, with constant movement within and between metropoles. As the energy industry looks into infrastructure and power sources that can support such a society sustainably, the same is being done with air travel. Currently, aviation accounts for 2.6 percent of global emissions, and 12 percent of transportation-related emissions. While that poses a challenge, it also presents an opportunity to pioneer a new industry, as Boeing believes, one of sustainable aviation.
Sustainable aviation, Raymond explained, must go beyond the work already done in fuel efficiency and must enter an era of sustainable product life cycles. This is where Boeing's Cascade data modeling tool comes into play. "There are multiple ways to a future where aviation has zero climate impact," he said. "We created Cascade on a foundation of credible data and analytical models to allow users to explore various pathways to net-zero. We think this model will help our industry visualize, for the first time, the real climate impact of each solution, from beginning to end, and to inform the most probable and effective strategies."
Boeing created Cascade to depict and consider the different paths to decarbonization and their potential ability to reduce emissions. The platform considers four strategies: airplane fleet renewal; renewable energy sources such as sustainable fuel, hydrogen, and electric propulsion; operational efficiency improvements; and advanced technologies. The model also assesses the lifecycle impacts of renewable energy by accounting for the emissions required to produce, distribute, and use alternative energies like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The plan is to use the tool with airline operators, industry partners, and policymakers to determine when, where, and how different fuel sources intersect with new aircraft design. “Product development tells you what you can do—product strategy tells you what you should do," said Mike Sinnett, Boeing v-p and general manager of product development. "Cascade is a tool to tell us what we should do." Cascade is about to undergo beta testing, after which it will be made available to the industry.
SAF plays an increasingly crucial role in sustainable aviation, asserts Boeing. "We have to take a holistic view to decarbonization," said Raymond. "And when we do that, it is clear that SAF is a necessary lever. We know it will take a 'SAF and' approach and not a 'SAF or' approach to achieving net-zero by 2050. It’s SAF and whatever else we can do.”
As part of that stance, Boeing has continued to explore the safety and viability of alternative fuels. Since the mid-2000s, the company has conducted demonstrations using hydrogen fuel cells and combustion engines. Last year, they successfully tested a cryotank designed to hold 16,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen—equivalent to the fuel carried in a regional jet.
Beyond SAF, Boeing has invested in an electric-powered aircraft through its joint venture, Wisk, which is working to bring an all-electric, autonomous air taxi to market.
Informed by its continued evaluation and testing of alternative propulsion sources, Boeing also shared its “Future Flight Concepts,” depictions of how aircraft need to change and evolve for the alternatively powered pathways that the industry is headed towards.
“Is this too ambitious of a goal for the industry to get to net zero by 2050?” asked Brian Yutko, Boeing chief engineer and v-p of sustainability and future mobility. “Yes, it’s ambitious. There will be a generation of engineers whose life goals are to accomplish what we’ve talked about here. To make that a reality, we believe it is best to learn and share our findings broadly, based on a foundation of data, scientific research, and collaboration as we work together to decarbonize aviation."
A question remains for large aerospace and defense companies. Is the defense sector moving forward on the same path of sustainability, at the same pace, or is there a risk of falling behind? Boeing sees the two sides of the industry—commercial and military—as maintaining a symbiotic relationship, as each sector learns from the other, but only time will tell if that results in beneficial sustainability results for both sectors.
As for commercial aviation, there are countless questions and even more tests to run, but the industry seems to have united as pioneers for a cleaner future. As Raymond reminded the room: “What Bill Boeing said about pioneers in 1929 is relevant to sustainable aerospace today.”