TessDrive gathers the latest news in sustainable, eco-friendly mobility and transport (land, air, and sea) from around the world.
NASA partners with Canoo for 1st human lunar landing in 50 years
New electric vehicle (EV) company Canoo has taken the attention of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with the latter selecting the company as an official partner to provide crew transportation vehicles (CTVs) for Artemis lunar exploration launches.
Through a competitive process, NASA selected Canoo’s zero-emission LVs as the CTVs for the Artemis Program. Canoo will deliver multiple customized all-electric LV models to NASA by June 2023.
“We are honored to transport the Artemis crew to the launch site for the first human lunar landing in more than 50 years. NASA’s selection of our innovative technologies to take a diverse team of American astronauts to the moon showcases a great commitment to sustainable transportation,” said Canoo Investor, Chairman, and CEO Tony Aquila. “As a high-tech mobility company, we are inspired by NASA’s pioneering and trailblazing spirit. Our customized vehicles are modular and upgradable throughout their lifecycle, with a high level of recyclability at the end of life. Canoo’s Made in America EVs embody our nation’s ingenuity and bold determination to reclaim global technology leadership for America and its allied nations. We are proud to partner with NASA in one of the world’s greatest endeavors.”
The CTVs must carry fully suited astronauts, flight support staff, and equipment to the launch site. The new CTVs will be based on Canoo’s LV model—a future-forward all-electric vehicle, designed from a clean sheet and based on Canoo’s proprietary multi-purpose platform to maximize cabin space, utility, and productivity on a compact footprint.
Canoo will manufacture vehicles for the Artemis mission in the heartland. The company recently named Bentonville, Arkansas, as its headquarters and advanced manufacturing site, and Pryor, Oklahoma, its mega micro-factory site. Canoo will bring more than 2,700 high-tech advanced mobility jobs directly and attract many more indirectly to the region. Canoo plans to launch commercial production from its Bentonville facility in late 2022. (Story and photo courtesy of Canoo)
EasyJet, GKN Aerospace to fast-track hydrogen adoption
Europe’s leading airline EasyJet recently announced it is working with the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier GKN Aerospace to work toward reducing carbon emissions in aviation through the adoption of zero carbon emission technologies. The leading European airline will support the development of GKN Aerospace’s Hydrogen Combustion (H2JET) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell (H2GEAR) technology, including exploring the options for flight demonstration, as part of the airline’s ambition to decarbonize aviation. Among others, EasyJet will provide insights into operational requirements and economics. H2JET is a Swedish collaborative two-year program led by GKN Aerospace to push the development of critical subsystems for gas turbine-based hydrogen propulsion of medium-range civil aircraft.
EasyJet offers a combination of the best route network connecting Europe’s primary airports with great value fares and friendly service. The airline flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline, and carried more than 96 million passengers in 2019—more than 16 million traveling for business. Moreover, the airline has over 300 aircraft on nearly 1,000 routes to more than 150 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour’s drive of an EasyJet airport.
The airline is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions flying by 2050. Together with its partners, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, and Wright Electric, EasyJet is working to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technology. In the short term, the airline is offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all its flights at no additional cost to its customers. It only supports projects certified by Gold Standard or the Verified Carbon Standard, internationally recognized certification schemes. In addition, EasyJet continues to renew its fleet, operate efficiently and aim to fill most of its seats. Since 2000, or over 20 years, the airline has reduced its carbon emissions per passenger per kilometer by over one-third and aims to bring this down further.
GKN Aerospace is the original aerospace innovator. For decades, GKN Aerospace technologies have combined engineering excellence and technology leadership. H2GEAR is a GKN Aerospace-led ground-breaking UK collaboration program aiming to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that could be scaled up to larger aircraft. Liquid hydrogen is converted to electricity within a fuel cell system. This electricity efficiently powers the aircraft, eliminating carbon emissions and creating a new generation of clean air travel. The H2GEAR program is supported by £27 million of ATI funding, matched by GKN Aerospace and its industrial partners.
EasyJet is optimistic that it could begin flying customers on planes powered by hydrogen combustion, hydrogen-electric, or a hybrid of both by the mid to late-2030s. In November 2021, EasyJet joined “Race to Zero”, a global UN-backed campaign to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In joining the campaign, the airline committed to setting an interim science-based target for 2035 and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, for which technology for zero carbon emission flying will play an important part. (Story and photos courtesy of EasyJet and GKN Aerospace)
Hyundai Motor to expand market for hydrogen-powered fuel cells
During the recently concluded 2022 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, Hyundai Motor Company emphasized its plan to ramp up the US commercial vehicle market entry of XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks. The Korean automaker aims to leverage the successful hydrogen fuel cell expertise of its XCIENT Fuel Cell fleet in Switzerland for the US commercial vehicle sector.
At the expo, which took place at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California from May 9 to 12, bringing together the transportation logistics community for days of education on the fuels, technologies, and policies driving the industry forward, Hyundai Motor shared the “NorCAL Zero Project” progress. Also known as Zero-Emission Regional Truck Operations with Fuel Cell Electric Truck, the project involves deploying 30 Class 8 6×4 XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty tractors at the Port of Oakland, California, in 2023. Hyundai will also run a ride-and-drive program where visitors can experience the 6×2 XCIENT Fuel Cell tractor and 6×2 XCIENT Fuel Cell rigid truck.
The company also took part in the Hydrogen Workshop panel discussion. Hosted under the theme, “Coming Around the Corner, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles,” panelists talked about the challenges and prospects of the hydrogen fuel cell EV market and policies and business plans. As part of the panel, Mark Freymueller, senior vice president and head of Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation at Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Our (ultimate) goal is to fight climate change and build a sustainable future. We are running out of time to limit global warming. We believe that there is no way around hydrogen to realize the energy transition towards renewables. And amongst others, it also offers already today a practical and viable solution to decarbonize the heavy-duty commercial vehicle sector, providing excellent drive range, payloads, and refueling time on our trucks.”
Hydrogen is an energy carrier with high density, allowing fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) to provide sustained energy output suitable for long-haul driving and heavy loads. Fuel cell commercial EVs enhance work efficiency and lower infrastructure costs than battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by minimizing downtime with shorter refueling time. It has led the company to deploy a growing fleet of XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck, in Switzerland starting in 2020, which has achieved a cumulative range of 3.5 million km as of April 30.
With the US government’s significant investment, and more players entering the hydrogen market, the total cost of ownership for FCEVs will drop significantly in the coming years. Climate change and ongoing supply chain issues will accelerate the transition to clean energy sources. (Story and photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company)
Hyundai Motor Group to establish 1st dedicated EV plant, battery-making facility in US
Hyundai Motor Group recently announced it has agreed with the State of Georgia to build its first dedicated full-electric vehicle (FEV) and battery manufacturing facilities in the United States. The group’s investment decision will support its goal of becoming a leader in electric mobility in the US market. It also highlights the group’s commitment to sustainability through electrification and supporting the economies it operates.
The official signing ceremony was held in Bryan County, attended by Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and other Georgia officials, Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jaehoon Chang, and Hyundai Motor President and Chief Operating Officer José Muñoz. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung joined the signing ceremony virtually.
The new EV plant and battery manufacturing facilities represent an investment of approximately $5.54 billion. The new facility will break ground in early 2023 and is expected to begin commercial production in the first half of 2025 with an annual capacity of 300,000 units. The battery manufacturing facility will be established through a strategic partnership.
Another plan is to produce a wide range of FEVs for US customers at the new EV plant. The local EV production will increase US consumer accessibility to the group’s innovative EVs. Through the battery manufacturing facility, the group also aims to establish a stable supply chain and build a healthy EV ecosystem in the United States.
The group is accelerating its electrification efforts with the global target to sell 3.23 million FEVs annually by 2030. With the additional EV and battery production capabilities in the United States, the group aims to become one of the top three EV providers in the country by 2026. (Story and photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company)
Airbus to launch hydrogen emissions development center in UK
Airbus is strengthening its presence in the United Kingdom by launching a Zero Emission Development Centre (ZEDC) for hydrogen technologies. A priority for the UK ZEDC will be developing a cost-competitive cryogenic fuel system required for the successful entry-into-service of Airbus’ ZEROe passenger aircraft by 2035 and accelerating UK skills and know-how on hydrogen-propulsion technologies.
The UK ZEDC will benefit from the recent commitment by the UK government to guarantee £685 million of funding to the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) over the next three years to support the development of zero-carbon and ultra-low-emission aircraft technologies.
“Establishing the ZEDC in the United Kingdom expands Airbus’ in-house industrial capabilities to design, develop, test, and manufacture cryogenic hydrogen storage tanks and related systems for the ZEROe project across Airbus’ four home countries. This, coupled with our partnership with ATI, will allow us to leverage our respective expertise to realize the potential of hydrogen technology to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry,” said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer.
Technology development at the new UK ZEDC, based in Filton, Bristol, has already started and will cover the full product capabilities from components up to the whole system and cryogenic testing. End-to-end fuel systems development, a specialty of Airbus in the United Kingdom, is one of the most complex technologies crucial to the performance of a future hydrogen aircraft.
The ZEDC complements Airbus’ existing research and technology footprint in the United Kingdom, as well as the work on cryogenic liquid hydrogen tanks being done at Airbus’ existing ZEDCs in Madrid, Spain, and Stade, Germany (composite structure technologies) and in Nantes, France and Bremen, Germany (metallic structural technologies). Airbus ZEDCs are expected to be fully operational and ready for ground testing, with the first fully functional cryogenic hydrogen tank in 2023 and flight testing in 2026. (Story and photo courtesy of Airbus)
Avikus completes world’s 1st transoceanic voyage of large ship on autonomous navigation
Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai and which specializes in autonomous navigation, together with SK Shipping, recently announced that it had completed the autonomous navigation of Prism Courage, a 180,000 sqm-class ultra-large LNG carrier across the ocean, becoming the first company to accomplish such a transoceanic autonomous navigation.
Equipped with HiNAS 2.0, Avikus’ Level 2 autonomous navigation solution, Prism Courage departed from the Freeport on the southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico on May 1, passed through the Panama Canal, and finally arrived at the Boryeong LNG Terminal in South Chungcheong Province in Korea after 33 days. The vessel sailed half of the roughly 20,000 km in total distance using HiNAS 2.0.
The HiNAS 2.0 navigation system creates optimal routes and speeds based on Hyundai Global Service’s Integrated Smartship Solution (ISS). Its artificial intelligence recognizes the surrounding environment, such as weather and wave heights, and nearby ships, and then controls the vessel’s steering commands in real-time. The Level 2 autonomous navigation technology can control and operate the vessel and the functions of recognition and judgment (Level 1 autonomous navigation technology).
In this ocean crossing, the autonomously operated Prism Courage increased its fuel efficiency by around 7% while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 5%. Also, its system accurately recognized the locations of nearby ships during operation to avoid collision about 100 times.
Under real-time monitoring, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Korea Register of Shipping (KR) conducted this voyage to verify the performance and stability of the technology. Avikus plans to commercialize HiNAS 2.0 within the year after receiving a certification from ABS for the results of this self-propelled ocean crossing. (Story and photos courtesy of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group)
Volocopter 4-seater takes 1st flight
Recently, at the “UP.Summit,” an annual gathering of leaders in transportation innovation hosted by investment firm UP.Partners, urban air mobility (UAM) pioneer Volocopter announced that it had achieved another milestone. The company’s fixed-winged passenger aircraft, the VoloConnect, completed its first flight in May. This accomplishment makes Volocopter the only eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) developer in the Western hemisphere to have an entire fleet of distinct aircraft configurations undergoing flight tests.
Volocopter’s third product solution, the VoloConnect, offers further and faster journeys than any other Volocopter aircraft, with a range of over 60 miles (96 km) and flight speeds above 155 mph (248 kph). The passenger plane’s extended range and higher payload will bring business travelers and commuters beyond the city center of Burbank to Huntington Beach in Los Angeles, California. With VoloCity and VoloConnect air taxi designs fulfilling demands for metropolitan flights and suburban connections in densely populated regions, Volocopter is ready to serve a broader range of passengers’ flight needs. Moreover, the VoloConnect is targeting a 2026 entry into service, while the VoloCity is targeting a commercial launch in 2024.
Volocopter designed the VoloConnect and its other eVTOL aircraft to meet the highest aviation safety standards according to EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). The prototype completed its first flight in May after just 17 months in the making and performed a few maneuvers for 2 minutes and 14 seconds during its first flight. The prototype has the future commercial product’s planned aerodynamics and performance features.
The VoloConnect is a lift-and-cruise aircraft optimized for missions beyond the urban and suburban space. Its six rotors facilitate vertical takeoff, keeping moving parts to a minimum, while two electric fans in combination with uplift-creating wings ensure high forward speeds. The VoloConnect prototype is currently being put through a demanding series of flight tests to verify that the aircraft and its systems align with the performance limits and are prepared for the subsequent development steps.
This phase encompasses a raft of tests, including standardized low-speed, transition, high-speed, and engine failure testing for automated and later autonomous flights—all standard-issue tests for an eVTOL passenger aircraft manufacturer. Within the first three test flights of this campaign, the team was able to verify a significant portion of the eVTOL’s envelope with forwarding speeds up to 40 mph (64 kph) and 28 mph (45 kph) sideward flight speeds during tests. The test flight envelope will gradually be part of the test flight campaign over the coming weeks. (Story and photos courtesy of Volocopter)
Air Nostrum Group reserves 10 Airlander 10 hybrid aircraft for 2026 delivery
Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), a UK-based leader in sustainable aircraft technologies, announced an aircraft reservation agreement with one of the largest regional airlines in Europe, Air Nostrum Group, for HAV’s pioneering hybrid aircraft Airlander 10. The landmark partnership sees Air Nostrum Group reserve 10 100-seat Airlander 10 aircraft for delivery from 2026 onwards to begin operations as a launch airline.
“Airlander is designed to deliver a better future for sustainable aviation services, enable new transport networks and provide rapid growth options for our customers. Our partnership with Air Nostrum Group, the launch airline for Airlander 10, leads the way towards that future. As countries like France, Denmark, Norway, Spain, and the UK begin to put in place ambitious mandates for the decarbonization of domestic and short-haul flight, Hybrid Air Vehicles and Air Nostrum Group are demonstrating how we can get there—and get there soon,” said Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles.
Airlander 10 brings together payload and endurance to deliver results. Coupled with minimal infrastructure requirements and a highly customizable payload module, this is an aircraft that changes perspectives on what is possible in aviation. The technology at the heart of the Airlander 10 creates significant efficiency in flight. With four combustion engines, the standard Airlander 10 will deliver up to 75% reduction in emissions over comparable aircraft in a wide range of roles.
HAV is currently developing electric motors intending to deliver a hybrid-electric Airlander 10 from 2025. It will provide a 90% reduction in emissions over other aircraft in mobility and logistics applications while offering operational flexibility in service. In time, all four of Airlander 10’s engines will be electric. It will give future customers the option of a zero-emissions aircraft in service by 2030.
While the Air Nostrum Airlander 10 fleet is set for initial operations across Spain, HAV plans to launch aircraft production in South Yorkshire in the United Kingdom this year, creating thousands of skilled jobs in green aerospace technologies and supporting leveling up across the region. This year’s output of the fleet in South Yorkshire will create 1,800 new jobs. (Story and photos courtesy of Hybrid Air Vehicles)
BAR Tech’s wind propulsion technology gets DNV approval
BAR Technologies (BAR Tech), an innovative simulation-driven marine engineering consultancy, has been awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for its wind propulsion technology WindWings from classification society DNV.
WindWings, by Yara Marine Technologies, combines wind propulsion with route optimization. It could increase vessels’ fuel efficiency by over 30% depending on whether the installation is a retrofit or combined with a fully optimized new-build hull. Initially aimed at bulk carriers and tankers, further variations will be developed for other large ship types. The AiP secured from DNV is another significant step in BARTech’s journey towards certification for WindWings.
With decarbonization—the key focus within the shipping industry and broader maritime markets—many low-carbon solutions are in early-stage development. However, these solutions must be rigorously regulated to ensure practicality and lower financial and technical risk.
The AiP assures the industry of the practicality and safety of the WindWings technology through a thorough assessment of the system’s design specifications, safety and usability considerations, and general applicability to sea-going vessels. The AiP also examined the deployment and functionality of WindWings in operation, use in extreme weather conditions, and system redundancy. The emissions reduction potential of WindWings has also been independently analyzed and verified by acclaimed maritime consultancy the Wolfson Unit.
Mitsubishi Corp, BAR Tech, and Yara Marine Technologies recently announced that Mitsubishi’s 5-year-old bulk carrier Pyxis Ocean would be the first vessel to use WindWings. The ship will undergo installation and deployment of BAR Tech’s pioneering wind propulsion technology by the beginning of 2023. (Story and photos courtesy of BAR Technologies)
HIF Global launches eFuels company in Germany
HIF Global, the world’s leading eFuels company, continues its global expansion with the launch of HIF Europe, Middle East, and Africa (HIF EMEA) headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with Armin Schnettler named as President and Thorsten Herdan as CEO. HIF EMEA will anchor eFuels from HIF Global’s production facilities worldwide to the EMEA region, beginning with the operations of the Haru Oni facility in late 2022 in Magallanes, Chile. Furthermore, HIF EMEA will develop eFuel projects for the region.
HIF Global develops projects to convert hydrogen, made using low-cost renewable power, into carbon-neutral liquid eFuels that can be transported and utilized in existing infrastructure.
“We are building a global presence and elite team to fight climate change and accelerated carbonization. HIF EMEA will focus on providing carbon-neutral electricity-based fuels, also known as eFuels, to speed up decarbonization and improve the security of energy supply,” said César Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global.
Schnettler shared, “We need many solutions to support the growing demand for energy worldwide in ways that reduce carbon emissions. When utilizing eFuels, which are produced from renewable electricity, hydrogen, and recycled CO2, we can further decarbonize the transport sector and significantly accelerate the hydrogen economy today in a way that is sustainable, competitive, and secure.”
Meanwhile, sports car manufacturer Porsche is investing $75 million in HIF Global LLC. In return, the sports car manufacturer is acquiring a long-term stake in HIF Global LLC, a holding company of internationally active project developers of eFuel production facilities. (Story and photo courtesy of HIG Global and Porsche)
Farnborough Airport targets net zero by 2030
Farnborough Airport, Europe’s leading airport for premium air travel connectivity and the home of British aviation, recently launched its Net Zero Roadmap, establishing one of the most ambitious net zero targets in the aviation sector. In its “Roadmap to Net Zero by 2030—Where will you be?”, the Farnborough Airport Company commits to be net zero across its controllable emissions by 2030 or sooner. This will result in a 91% reduction of its emissions.
As part of the launch, ahead of the globally renowned 2022 Farnborough International Airshow, it will be the first airport in the world to offer sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It can reduce life cycle CO2 emissions by up to 80%, at the same price as standard Jet A1 fuel for a trial period that started July 1 to the beginning of the Airshow.
Farnborough Airport is Europe’s leading business aviation airport, and the first business aviation airport to achieve carbon neutrality in 2018. The most modern airport of its kind, Farnborough Airport offers 5-star service, exclusivity, and privacy within easy reach of London, making it the premium choice for those looking to travel safely, flexibly, and efficiently.
The roadmap outlines Farnborough Airport’s commitment to be Net Zero for its controllable emissions by 2030 and a pathway to do so. It covers reducing emissions from buildings, airfields, and onsite operational vehicles. By 2035, another commitment targets a reduction of its controllable emissions and those it has partial influence over by over 40%. It includes emissions from the landing and take-off (LTO) cycle of aircraft up to 3,000 feet and surface access emissions generated by passenger journeys to and from the airport.
Meanwhile, the airport announced that all diesel-powered cars onsite had started transitioning to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Using HVO requires no retrofitting to vehicles, and reduces net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. HVO is produced from 100% sustainable renewable feedstocks waste, including used cooking oil, plant, food, and animal waste, with each order accredited to the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS). Other benefits of using HVO include increased storage life, reduced NOx and PM tailpipe emissions, invulnerability to “diesel bug”, and a low freezing point. (Story and photos courtesy of Farnborough Airport)
Walmart to acquire 4,500 Canoo electric delivery vehicles
Walmart recently announced a bold move to expand its delivery fleet towards sustainable mobility. The North American retail giant has signed a definitive agreement with Canoo, an advanced mobility company, to purchase 4,500 all-electric delivery vehicles. This green move will put the retailer in the forefront as the first to receive Canoo’s Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV), which is anticipated to begin hitting the road for Walmart deliveries in 2023.
Walmart helps people save money and live better—anytime and anywhere—in retail stores, online, and on mobile devices. Each week, approximately 230 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and e-commerce websites. With the fiscal year 2022 revenue of $573 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart remains a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity.
The initial step is with the LDV, with the option to purchase up to 10,000 units. These vehicles will be used to deliver online orders sustainably, contributing to Walmart’s goal to achieve zero emissions by 2040. While the LDV is expected to begin hitting the road in 2023, the companies plan to kick off advanced deliveries to refine and finalize vehicle configuration in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in the coming weeks, as Canoo anticipates starting production of the LDVs beginning late this year.
Canoo’s fully-electric LDV is an all-American commercial EV optimized for sustainable last-mile delivery use cases. As with all Canoo vehicles, the LDV is built on a proprietary multi-purpose platform (MPP) architecture that integrates the motors, battery module, and other critical driving components. The LDV has a last-mile delivery optimized cabin and customized cargo space. The EV builder is utilizing true steer-by-wire technology, reducing moving parts and cabin intrusion, resulting in more usable interior space, better driver ergonomics, and the addition of a panoramic window to improve road visibility.
The LDV is engineered for high-frequency stop-and-go deliveries and speedy vehicle-to-door drop-off, including grocery and food/meal delivery. Its customized interior is designed for small package delivery at competitive per-stop economics. The modular design and 120 cubic feet cargo volume are adaptable to evolve with customer needs which contributes to a decreasing per unit investment over time. The vehicles will be driven by Walmart associates and used to deliver online orders, from groceries to general merchandise. (Story and photo courtesy of Walmart and Canoo)
Watch the design teaser video of the Canoo LDV here: https://youtu.be/-EivHu0ZULM
Boeing, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sign MOU for carbon neutrality by 2050
Technology pioneers Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) recently announced that they would build on their decades-long partnership and collaborate on achieving ambitious climate targets. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is focused on jointly studying enabling sustainable technologies—including hydrogen, electrification, sustainable materials, zero climate impact propulsion technologies, and new aircraft design concepts, as well as commercializing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
The two companies signed the MOU focusing on reaching the global commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Further, Boeing and MHI will study new feedstocks and technologies for SAF production, including green hydrogen and carbon capture.
MHI is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, innovative infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace, and defense. The company is also one of the world’s most diverse industrial groups. It has been a leader in developing technologies to realize a carbon-neutral society and advance a sustainable aviation industry. Recently, MHI had joined “Act for Sky,” a voluntary organization in Japan working on the commercialization, promotion, and expansion of domestically produced SAF. The organization expects to raise awareness among citizens and companies of the importance of SAF and the goals for carbon neutrality and achieving a circular economy. Last year, MHI declared “Mission Net-zero”, setting bold targets to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations and through its entire value chain by 2040. As an interim step, MHI aims to cut its carbon emissions by half by 2030.
In 2021, Boeing established multiple partnerships to help advance the renewable energy transition with partners including SkyNRG, Alaska Airlines, Etihad Airways, NASA, Rolls-Royce, and United Airlines. The company also joined the First Movers Coalition, partnering with leading companies across sectors to accelerate the development of new technologies to reduce emissions. Additionally, Boeing continues to progress through its joint venture, Wisk. It is working to bring to market the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the United States, helping decarbonize transportation while enabling new business opportunities centered on Urban Air Mobility.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic, Corendon Dutch Airlines, and Albawings have selected Boeing’s Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor (FDA) digital solution to optimize operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption across their fleets of Boeing aircraft. The FliteDeck Advisor, which analyzes airplane-specific performance metrics for all Boeing aircraft, including changes over time with aircraft age and maintenance action, enables flight crews to make real-time adjustments to their airspeed to optimize fuel use and minimize the carbon footprint of each flight. (Story and photo courtesy of Boeing and MHI)