Sustainability In The Air

In this episode, we talk to Professor Robert Miller, Director of the Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, who shares why 2030 targets are crucial for the aviation industry’s transition towards net zero.Miller is also the head of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), a collaboration between the Whittle Laboratory and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. The AIA recently released the “Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation” report which outlined 4 key Sustainable Aviation Goals, which, if achieved in the next 5 years, can help aviation reach net-zero by 2050. Miller shares insights into the recently released report and highlights several key issues:The misconception of smooth technology transitions, emphasising that historical precedents show abrupt changes with usually one dominant solution emerging, similar to VHS vs Betamax or cars vs horses.Operation Blue Skies which seeks to address persistent contrails by setting up “Airspace-Scale Living Labs”.The introduction of bold efficiency measures that could halve fuel burn by 2050, including reducing aircraft life from 30 to 15 years, flying 15% slower, and better matching aircraft to route distances.The challenges of scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) within global biomass limitations, with potential ticket price increases ranging from 30%-90% depending on production method.The opportunity for hydrogen adoption in long-haul aviation, with potential for 10-30% fleet penetration by 2050, focusing initially on the 50 largest hub airports that consume half of global jet fuel.The importance of launching moonshot technology demonstrations by 2030, including cryogenic hydrogen/methane fuels, synthetic biology, and hydrogen-electric propulsion.Throughout the conversation, Miller emphasises the urgency of immediate action. He stresses that while only 10% of the global population has flown, expanding access to air travel must be balanced with aggressive decarbonisation efforts.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr Florian Allroggen, Executive Director, Aerospace Climate & Sustainability, and a Research Scientist in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who shares the science behind contrails, their climate impact, and practical solutions for mitigation. 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:Aviation Impact AcceleratorThe Whittle Laboratory  Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation - Aviation Impact Accelerator Cambridge report sets four goals to be implemented by 2030 for global aviation to reach Net Zero - GreenAir News 

In this episode, we talk to Anna Stukas, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at 1PointFive, who shares insights into how direct air capture (DAC) technology works and its crucial role in aviation’s journey to net zero. Stukas, who has been working in carbon capture since 2015, discusses her role in commercialising DAC technology and developing strategic partnerships to scale this critical climate solution.Stukas discusses:The fundamental role of DAC in climate action, explaining how it captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere through an engineered system that mimics natural processes but operates more efficiently and with a smaller land footprint than trees.The scalability of DAC technology, exemplified by the STRATOS facility in Texas which, once completed, will capture up to 500,000 tons of CO2 annually.The critical importance of industry partnerships, including Airbus’s pre-purchase of 400,000 tons of carbon removal and subsequent agreements with airlines like easyJet, Air Canada, and Lufthansa; as well as Microsoft’s landmark 500,000 metric tons purchase agreement.The secure storage of captured CO2 deep underground, where it mineralises into calcium carbonate over geological timescales.The integration with renewable energy infrastructure, with facilities like STRATOS being powered by adjacent solar installations, creating additional opportunities for clean energy development.The complementary relationship between DAC and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with DAC addressing residual emissions while potentially serving as a future feedstock for SAF production.Throughout the conversation, Stukas emphasises that while DAC is not a “get-out-of-jail-free card”, it represents an essential tool in aviation’s decarbonisation toolkit. If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability at easyJet. 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:1PointFiveEctor County DAC - STRATOS - 1PointFive Occidental’s 1PointFive secures funding of up to $500 million from US DOE - Reuters 1PointFive announces agreement to sell 500,000 metric tons of direct air capture carbon removal credits to Microsoft - GlobeNewswire ANA and easyJet commit to buying carbon dioxide removal credits from 1PointFive’s Texas DAC facility - GreenAir News 

In this episode, we talk to Dr Florian Allroggen, Executive Director, Aerospace Climate & Sustainability, and a Research Scientist in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who shares insights into the science of contrails and their impact on aviation’s climate footprint.Allroggen discusses his role, focusing on understanding aviation’s environmental impact and developing solutions for a net-zero pathway. He highlights several key issues:The formation of contrails as ice clouds when aircraft exhaust meets cold atmospheric conditions, and their dual role in both warming and cooling the atmosphere.The comparable magnitude of contrail warming effects to CO2 emissions, with varying impacts depending on the timeframe considered – contrails having larger short-term effects while CO2’s impact accumulates over centuries.The potential for contrail avoidance through flight path adjustments, particularly by changing aircraft altitude rather than horizontal routing, due to the “pancake-like” nature of contrail-forming regions.The development of real-time contrail detection technology using NASA satellite imagery and machine learning, currently being tested with Delta Air Lines.The challenges of implementing contrail avoidance strategies, including the need for air traffic control coordination and the balance between fuel efficiency and contrail reduction.The need for a holistic approach to aviation sustainability, addressing both CO2 and non-CO2 impacts while maintaining safety.Throughout the conversation, Allroggen advocates for practical experimentation and implementation of contrail mitigation strategies, while acknowledging the uncertainties and challenges involved. He emphasises the importance of making robust decisions despite uncertainties, drawing parallels with everyday decision-making under uncertain conditions.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with  Maxime Meijers and Nicolas Meijers, co-founders of Estuaire. 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:Impacts of multi-layer overlap on contrail radiative forcing - DOAJClimate - MIT LAE   Delta to work with MIT to study impact of airplane contrails on climate - CEHS How rerouting planes to produce fewer contrails could help cool the planet - MIT Technology Review How Estuaire’s data platform can help airlines and airports make better sustainability decisions - SimpliFlying 

Karine Guenan, Vice President of the ZEROe ecosystem at Airbus, shares her expertise in pioneering hydrogen-powered aviation. Discover the technical challenges of cryogenic hydrogen storage, including innovative tank designs, and the exploration of propulsion methods for future aircraft. Guenan highlights the extensive partnerships needed to create a robust hydrogen ecosystem involving airports, energy suppliers, and airlines. She emphasizes hydrogen’s zero-emission potential and the importance of collaboration to achieve Airbus's ambitious goal of commercial flight by 2035.

In this conversation, Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA FOR AIRCRAFT, discusses how data-driven solutions can enhance sustainability in aviation. He emphasizes the SITA EcoMission platform that aids airlines in managing environmental compliance while optimizing costs. Cabaret reveals how SITA OptiFlight helps achieve fuel savings by analyzing specific aircraft data. He also explores the complexities of balancing various environmental factors and highlights the crucial role of operational efficiency in achieving immediate sustainability goals.

Sian Andrews, SESAR Environmental Lead at NATS, UK’s premier air traffic control provider, discusses vital aviation sustainability efforts. She reveals how contrails contribute significantly to climate change, often rivaling CO2 effects. The conversation dives into the CICONIA project aimed at contrail avoidance while optimizing fuel efficiency. Andrews also highlights the concept of ‘green route charging’ to steer airlines away from inefficient routes. Lastly, the Digital European Sky initiative promises a more sustainable future for air traffic management.

In this chat, Bertrand Piccard, a Swiss explorer and clean tech pioneer, discusses his groundbreaking Climate Impulse project aimed at flying a hydrogen aircraft around the world non-stop. He dives into the technical challenges of hydrogen storage and the efficiency of fuel cells. Piccard also shares his vision for sustainable aviation, emphasizing industry shifts beyond hydrogen. Plus, he explores the mental hurdles of innovative flights, urging listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. His journey advocates for cleaner air travel and the future of zero-emission aviation.

Lee Beck and Tom Walker from the Clean Air Task Force share their insights on decarbonizing aviation. They discuss the potential for synthetic fuels to dominate aviation fuel by 2050 and the challenges faced by biofuels. The conversation highlights hydrogen and ammonia as promising alternatives, stressing the infrastructure shifts required. They also emphasize the importance of carbon capture and an options-based approach to tackle aviation emissions. With a call for diverse solutions and collaborative efforts, they paint a hopeful picture for sustainable flying.

Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), explores the airline's dynamic sustainability journey rooted in Scandinavia’s environmental ethos. He discusses SAS’s innovative three-pillar strategy—Sustainable Aviation Fuel, electric aviation, and hydrogen technology. Van der Werff highlights the airline's Conscious Traveler program, aimed at encouraging eco-friendly choices among passengers. He also shares exciting plans for an electric flight by 2028, balancing essential connectivity with ambitious sustainability goals.

In this episode, we talk to Sarah Ellerby, CEO of Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), a UK-based cleantech company that has created a patented technology called the REFNOVA®, to enable SAF production from agricultural and forestry waste.Ellerby discusses:NPT’s REFNOVA® technology, which processes non-food derived feedstocks such as sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw into SAF precursors.The dual-product output of the REFNOVA® process: sustainable sugars for SAF production and biochar for soil enhancement and carbon sequestration.Project Speedbird, a collaboration between Nova Pangaea Technologies, British Airways, and LanzaJet, which has secured £9 million in UK government funding.The challenges of scaling SAF production, including the need for significant investment and the importance of a blended finance approach involving both public and private sectors.Throughout the conversation, Ellerby emphasises the critical role of strategic partnerships and government support in advancing SAF production. She also shares NPT’s efforts to de-risk their technology and business model to attract larger investments needed for commercial-scale production.Looking to the future, Ellerby outlines NPT’s goals for scaling up production to meet the UK’s SAF mandates, while acknowledging the challenges in funding and executing large-scale projects.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, who shares the company’s journey in developing the world’s first proven ATJ technology that converts ethanol into SAF and renewable diesel. 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:Our biomass refinement process - Nova Pangaea Technologies Project Speedbird wins £9m UK funding for SAF production - Biofuels International MagazineNew investment in Nova Pangaea Technologies added to IAG’s $865 million SAF commitment - GreenAir News LanzaJet plans to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 - SimpliFlying