In response to the threats posed by climate change, nations worldwide have united under the Paris agreement and set targets of greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The commercial aviation sector is also moving in that direction, with commitments from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to reach net zero emissions by 2050. However, aviation is typically considered a hard-to-abate sector due to limited low-emissions technologies and high abatement costs compared with other sectors. A literature review was thus performed to identify which technologies are being researched and their expected techno-economic performance. Potential technologies are categorised according to an adapted Kaya identity: (1) aim of reducing energy intensity, through decreased weight, improved engine or aerodynamics; (2) objective to reduce carbon intensity, through Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), either bio-jet or e-jet; (3) acting on energy and carbon intensity simultaneously, with the combustion of non-drop-in fuels such as natural gas or hydrogen, or through electric propulsion; (4) with the use of transversal solutions, considering non-CO2 effects, operational improvements, and carbon sequestration. An empirical study was then conducted to examine the expected uptake of these technologies in the European market. The sustainability reports and/or decarbonisation roadmaps of major airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, and airport operators were thus investigated to identify which solutions they expect to rely on to achieve net zero emissions.
In risposta alle minacce poste dal cambiamento climatico, le nazioni di tutto il mondo si sono unite nell'accordo di Parigi e hanno fissato obiettivi di riduzione delle emissioni di gas serra. Anche il settore dell'aviazione commerciale si sta muovendo in questa direzione, con impegni da parte dell'International Air Transport Association (IATA) e dell'International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) per raggiungere emissioni nette zero entro il 2050. Tuttavia, l'aviazione è tipicamente considerata un settore difficile da decarbonizzare a causa delle tecnologie a basse emissioni limitate e degli alti costi di abbattimento rispetto ad altri settori. È stata quindi condotta una revisione della letteratura per identificare le tecnologie in fase di ricerca e le loro prestazioni tecnico-economiche previste. Le potenziali tecnologie sono state classificate secondo un'identità di Kaya adattata: (1) obiettivo di ridurre l'intensità energetica, attraverso la diminuzione del peso, il miglioramento del motore o dell'aerodinamica; (2) obiettivo di ridurre l'intensità di carbonio, tramite carburanti sostenibili per l'aviazione (SAF), sia bio-jet che e-jet; (3) agire simultaneamente sull'intensità energetica e di carbonio, con la combustione di carburanti non “drop-in” come il gas naturale o l'idrogeno, o attraverso la propulsione elettrica; (4) con l'uso di soluzioni trasversali, considerando gli effetti non-CO2, i miglioramenti operativi e il sequestro del carbonio. È stato poi condotto uno studio empirico per esaminare l'adozione prevista di queste tecnologie nel mercato europeo. I rapporti di sostenibilità e/o le strategie di decarbonizzazione delle principali compagnie aeree, costruttori di aeromobili, produttori di motori e operatori aeroportuali sono stati quindi analizzati per identificare le soluzioni su cui intendono fare affidamento per raggiungere emissioni nette zero.
Expected evolution of the techno-economic performance of technologies to decarbonise the aviation sector
Lacroix, Chiara Annabelle Patricia
2023/2024
Abstract
In response to the threats posed by climate change, nations worldwide have united under the Paris agreement and set targets of greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The commercial aviation sector is also moving in that direction, with commitments from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to reach net zero emissions by 2050. However, aviation is typically considered a hard-to-abate sector due to limited low-emissions technologies and high abatement costs compared with other sectors. A literature review was thus performed to identify which technologies are being researched and their expected techno-economic performance. Potential technologies are categorised according to an adapted Kaya identity: (1) aim of reducing energy intensity, through decreased weight, improved engine or aerodynamics; (2) objective to reduce carbon intensity, through Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), either bio-jet or e-jet; (3) acting on energy and carbon intensity simultaneously, with the combustion of non-drop-in fuels such as natural gas or hydrogen, or through electric propulsion; (4) with the use of transversal solutions, considering non-CO2 effects, operational improvements, and carbon sequestration. An empirical study was then conducted to examine the expected uptake of these technologies in the European market. The sustainability reports and/or decarbonisation roadmaps of major airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, and airport operators were thus investigated to identify which solutions they expect to rely on to achieve net zero emissions.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/223814