Sustainability In The Air

How engine innovation is powering aviation sustainability

Dec 19, 2024

Valérie Guénon, Vice President of Product Environment Policies at Safran Aircraft Engines, discusses groundbreaking innovations aimed at transforming aviation sustainability. She highlights the RISE program, which features an open fan architecture to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Guénon dives into Safran's commitment to sustainable aviation fuel and its efforts to ensure engine compatibility with 100% SAF. She also addresses the complexities of hydrogen adoption in aviation and shares insights on electrification initiatives for smaller aircraft, emphasizing collaborative industry efforts.

56:08

Creator website

Episode guests

Valérie Guénon

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Safran's RISE program aims to revolutionize aviation by significantly reducing fuel consumption through innovative engine design and sustainable fuel integration.

The collaboration within the industry to enhance the scalability and compatibility of sustainable aviation fuels is essential for achieving aviation's sustainability goals.

Deep dives

The Need for Fuel Efficiency in Aviation

Aviation must focus on reducing fuel consumption, regardless of the fuel type used, to achieve sustainability goals. The podcast discusses how the industry can improve energy efficiency to reduce CO2 emissions while carrying the same number of passengers over the same distances. It emphasizes the importance of optimizing aircraft and engine design to achieve lower fuel burn and mentions that energy efficiency can be a significant contributor to climate action. By leveraging technological advancements, aviation can ensure a greener future while accommodating the growing demand for air travel.

Intro

2min

Innovating Aviation for Sustainability

25min

Advancements in Electric and Hybrid Aircraft Propulsion

2min

Hydrogen Propulsion and Sustainable Aviation

17min

Navigating Gender Parity in Aerospace Engineering

3min

Personal Insights and Cultural Favorites

4min

Embracing Youthfulness: Reflections on Age and Sustainability

3min

In this episode, we speak with Valérie Guénon, Vice President of Product Environment Policies at Safran Aircraft Engines. She shares insights into how the company aims to tackle its environmental challenges through innovative engine design and sustainable fuel integration.

Guénon discusses Safran’s comprehensive approach to aviation sustainability, and highlights:

The RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program, developed in partnership with GE Aerospace that features an innovative open fan architecture that could significantly reduce fuel consumption by removing the heavy engine nacelle and optimising propulsive efficiency.
Safran’s commitment to environmental research, with the company dedicating 88% of its self-funded research to environmental performance improvements, covering areas like CO2 reduction, noise reduction, and local air pollution mitigation.
Safran is actively working to ensure engine compatibility with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), addressing challenges beyond just combustion.
Through the Renewable Low Carbon Fuels European Alliance, Safran chairs the aviation chamber and helps coordinate industry-wide efforts to scale up SAF production and adoption.
The complexities of hydrogen adoption in aviation, drawing from Safran’s experience with rocket propulsion.
Safran’s electrification initiatives that focus on smaller aircraft through Safran Electrical & Power.

Throughout the conversation, Guénon emphasises that while engine manufacturers can’t control air traffic growth, they can significantly impact efficiency.

Guénon also shares her pioneering experience as a woman in aerospace engineering, highlighting how both cultural changes and legislation have improved gender equality in the field.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer at Pratt and Whitney. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Safran

How Safran is helping to develop sustainable fuels - Safran

GE Aviation and Safran launch advanced technology demonstration programme for sustainable engines - ERA

Safran invests €1bn to develop global MRO network for LEAP engine - Aerospace Manufacturing