Most Viewed Sustainablity Stories 2023

Weststar Aviation Services and Petronas Dagangan Berhad join forces to advance sustainable aviation fuel

Source: Weststar Aviation Press Release

Weststar Aviation Services, the largest offshore helicopter transportation services provider in Southeast Asia, has taken a significant stride towards a greener aviation future by partnering with Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) to promote the utilization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in offshore helicopter operations across Malaysia.

This historic partnership was unveiled during the Selangor Aviation Show 2023, held at SkyPark RAC Selangor on the exhibition’s inaugural day, reaffirming both entities’ shared commitment to eco-conscious practices and sustainable aviation. This collaborative endeavor underscores Weststar’s unwavering dedication to sustainability and environmentally responsible aviation practices.

Datuk Ts Wan Hasmar Azim Wan Hassan, CEO of Weststar Aviation Services, said: “Weststar has always prioritized environmental responsibility. This collaboration with PDB perfectly aligns with our sustainability objectives and reinforces our commitment to providing our clients with the finest eco-conscious aviation services.

“The partnership between Weststar and PDB sets a robust industry precedent, emphasizing the significance of sustainable practices and responsible fuel sourcing. Through our collective efforts, we are charting a course towards a greener, more sustainable future for aviation.”

The SAF used for this collaboration was supplied by PDB in collaboration with Neste, the world’s leading producer of SAF.

Weststar initiated this collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding MoU with PDB during the recent LIMA exhibition in March.

DANX Carousel and Electron Aerospace partner to launch electric cargo aircraft

Source: Revolution.Aero

Author: Yves Le Marquand

DANX Carousel Group and Electron Aerospace are entering a strategic partnership to launch the Electron 5, an electric cargo aircraft.

DANX Carousel’s investment, part of the group’s plan to cut carbon emissions by 40% before 2035, sees it become Electron’s ‘founding logistics partner’ for the project.

The Electron 5 has been designed to transport a cargo payload of 500kg over a range of 500km. Capable of speeds of up 300kph, Electron 5 has a short runway requirement which its designers said give it access to up to five times more EU airports than today’s aircraft.

Lars Ryssel, group chief solutions officer, DANX Carousel said: “Sustainability is, of course, the driving force behind our investment in Electron, but the inclusion of the Electron 5 aircraft in our operations will also bring about impressive operational improvements.

The ability to launch and land closer to our pick-up and delivery points will cut down on journey lengths, allowing us to offer customers later cut-off times and better serve hard-to-reach areas.

“Based on our analysis, we believe that small planes are set to outperform conventional aircraft fuelled by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and hybrid aircraft in cost per kilogram, transit time, and carbon emissions,” Rysell added.

Electron 5 models are due to hit the market in 2027, with Carousel aiming to add the aircraft to its fleet within the next five years. With an airframe designed also for passenger use cases, DANX Carousel assisted with the design of the cargo model.

Marc-Henry de Jong, chief commercial operator and co-founder, Electron Aerospace, said: “Beyond the financial investment, we’re thrilled to crown DANX Carousel our founding logistics partner. The expertise of DANX Carousel’s exceptional team is instrumental in ensuring the Electron 5 is well equipped to transport a wide range of cargo, including loose goods like e-commerce parcels and odd-size goods resting on EU palettes.”

Val Karren, sustainability director, DANX Carousel said: “The future of short-haul air cargo is battery electric – and working with Electron brings us closer to realising that vision. The plane will emit zero emissions while in the air, but the shorter ground deliveries will also cut down on truck emissions as we avoid transporting cargo on the ground to and from regional hubs. DANX Carousel is front-line on this delivery model, and I believe this investment is future-proof as smaller planes will always have a unique offering due to their flexibility over larger freighters.”

GE Aviation to test 100% SAF in Catalyst

Source: Corporate Jet Investor

Author: Yves Le Marquand

GE Aviation, in partnership with the Czech Technical University in Prague (CVUT), is to begin testing the use of biofuels or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its new Catalyst turboprop engine. The testing, which will begin this year, aims to power the engine using 100% SAF within 18 months.

The Catalyst is the first turboprop engine developed by GE entirely in Europe for 50 years. Operation of the SAF-powered engine will start early this year in new test centres located in the outskirts of Prague, Czech Republic.

The joint team of researchers, experts and engineers from GE Aviation Turboprop, CVUT and Avio Aero have already begun preparation work.

“We are enthusiastically opening a new technological chapter in the research and development cooperation with the university, and right on its fifth anniversary,” says Milan Slapak, CEO and general manager of GE Aviation Czech.

“This is just another benefit for the aviation ecosystem that began with the development of digital technologies for the predictive maintenance of turboprop engines, through thousands of hours of testing on the new test cells at the airport of Hradec Kralove, and highlighted by Catalyst’s first flight.

I think it’s a story of excellent collaboration, of human and technological excellence, unparalleled between industry and academia,” Slapak added.

The first operations with the SAF-ready Catalyst will use a mixture consisting of 40% alternative fuel. At present, a maximum SAF blend of 50% has been certified.

LanzaJet and LanzaTech to study potential for New Zealand SAF

Source: SAF Investor

Author: Conor Feasey

LanzaJet

and LanzaTech have been selected by Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment to help determine the viability and sustainability of domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in New Zealand.

The fuels technology engineer and sustainable fuels producer will explore the use of New Zealand’s domestic waste products to produce SAF, focusing on forestry residue. LanzaTech will convert the waste raw materials into low-carbon ethanol using gas fermentation technology. LanzaJet will then convert the ethanol into SAF with its Alcohol-to-Jet technology.

“A sustainable fuels industry enables countries to gain energy independence with domestic production of fuels alongside infrastructure and economic development, while having a positive benefit on climate change – and that’s what we’re looking to enable in New Zealand,” said Jimmy Samartzis, founder and CEO, LanzaJet.

LanzaTech and LanzaJet will work with Ampol Group subsidiary and New Zealand fuel retailer, Z Energy to evaluate the end-to-end supply chain, including feedstock options and the impact on the local economy.

Lindis Jones, CEO, Z Energy said while there is no silver bullet in the energy transition, SAF will play a critical role in reducing the aviation sector’s emissions. “Z is looking forward to being a valuable partner alongside LanzaJet and LanzaTech by leveraging its local supply chain expertise, its previous experience supplying biofuels to customers including Air New Zealand, and the expertise of the wider Ampol Group,” said Jones.

LanzaTech, which was founded in Auckland, New Zealand, will also conduct a supply chain risk assessment, while also evaluating the potential for using domestic waste to produce ethanol.

“We must accelerate deployment of SAF facilities globally to create new jobs and deliver much needed volumes of sustainable fuels to a sector that has limited options today,” Jennifer Holmgren, CEO LanzaTech.

Air New Zealand, the nation’s national carrier, and the New Zealand Government are also investing in the study to understand which technologies can be best used in the country.

“We appreciate the leadership shown by Air New Zealand and the New Zealand government in enabling a future where domestic wastes and residues can be meaningfully repurposed, enabling energy security and regional growth opportunities,” added Holmgren.

The study is expected to be completed by summer 2024. After that, a final decision will be made on the next stages of the project, including further development and engineering work.

Denmark: Countdown begins for 100 percent electric domestic flights

Source: Revolution.Aero

Author: Chris Stonor

Itis exciting times for Denmark residents who desire 100 percent electric domestic flights, reports vaeridion.com. The Danish companies Copenhagen AirTaxi and Copenhagen Helicopter who are both based at Roskilde Airport* along with German aircraft manufacturer Vaeridion, have signed this week a cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating the green transition of regional aviation in the Nordic region. The aim is that by 2030 all Danish domestic flights will be electric-powered.

* Roskilde Airport, is officially known as Copenhagen Airport and is located four miles southeast of Roskilde near the town of Tune. It was opened in 1973 as the first of three planned relief airports around the city.

Ivor van Dartel, CEO and co-Founder of Vaeridion, commented, “We believe that the Nordic region will become the first in the world to implement this new form of air transport, made possible by the launch of our 100 percent electric Microliner aircraft. Alongside our partners, we have found the ideal collaboration to promote our transportation concept in the Nordic countries, starting in Denmark.“

Both Copenhagen AirTaxi and Copenhagen Helicopter will contribute their networks, extensive market knowledge and operational experience, while Vaeridion can provide cuttingedge flight technology.

The Microliner

• Passenger capacity: 9+ crew.

• Range: Up to 500 km.

• Battery Charging Time: 45 minutes.

• Take-off distance required: 800 metres.

• Ready for Commercial Operation, no later than 2030.

van Dartel continued, “To ensure an efficient development, we have first been developing the enabling technologies, such as the integrated battery-wing-box, within a conventional but highly optimised design of a fixed-wing airplane. In the next phase our engineers will work in close collaboration with Copenhagen AirTaxi, Copenhagen Helicopter and others, to incorporate the operator and passenger needs into the final design.”

Munich-based Vaeridion has made substantial progress in developing the all-electric 9+ seater Microliner. After being certified the aircraft will be used on shorter routes of up to 500 km.

Henrik Bendix, co-Founder and Chairman of Copenhagen Helicopter,nsays the Microliner will have a significant impact on people’s mobility and contribute to increasing cohesion within the Nordic countries. “Its introduction will encourage a development where people can live, work, and study more freely, while maintaining a good work/life balance. Additionally, it will remove a significant amount of CO2 from the roads and reduce the need to maintain and expand road infrastructure.“

At present, an annual 1.6 million passengers are transported via Denmark’s domestic air routes and the Microliner will play a key role in realising the Danish Government’s ambition for all flights to be fossil-free. The aim is to first trial the aircraft on Copenhagen Helicopter’s Læsø flight route.

It is believed that the Microliner could play a crucial role in the future of Mobility as a

Service-based (MaaS) personal transport. MaaS involves a shift away from personally owned modes of transport towards mobility delivered as a service. Specifically, this means that people will be able to plan, book and pay for various mobility services in one digital solution.

Martin Winther Andersen, co-Founder and CEO of Copenhagen Helicopter, remarked, ”The new green aircraft type requires significantly shorter take-off and landing distances than traditional aircraft. This allows the use of smaller airfields that are no longer utilised for commercial routes.”

He continued, “These routes were abandoned as aircraft types gradually became larger. The Microliner can change that, allowing us to create a dense network of domestic routes again.” Adding, “Areas outside of airports and closer to urban centres could also be used as take-off and landing points.”

For more information vaeridion.com

VerdeGo Aero and Röder Präzision announce hybrid-electric engine

Source: Revolution.Aero

Author: Yves Le Marquand

VerdeGo Aero and Röder Präzision have announced a new hybrid-electric engine, SR-305-VDG as part of its VH-3 powerplant development.

The VH-3 has been created as an “extremely efficient” option for providing large amounts of propulsive electric power and converting liquid fuels into electricity. The powerplant includes an aircraft engine, motor or generator, power electronics and control and thermal management systems.

During the development of the VH-3, VerdeGo and the SMA Aero Engines, a 100% owned subsidiary of Röder Präzision, have jointly-developed a new version of the SMA SR-305 diesel-cycle high-efficiency aircraft engine. The result of more than two years of testing, the engine features a higher power output, reduced hybrid powerplant weight, smaller system volume and is exclusively produced for VerdeGo’s hybrid-electric applications.

Eric Bartsch, CEO of VerdeGo Aero, said: “Creating an optimal hybrid powerplant requires careful alignment of all of the major components to ensure they function efficiently and reliably together. Collaboration with SMA has enabled VerdeGo to increase the performance of the VH-3-185 hybrid powerplant while reducing weight and size of the system. Combining the engineering capabilities at both companies has been critical for delivering a hybrid powerplant that addresses the needs of VerdeGo’s customers who are creating some of the highestperformance electric aircraft in the world.”

The VH-3 hybrid powerplant containing the new engine will be on display at AirVenture 2023 in the US Air Force’s AFWERX booth.

Jörg Erdmann, chief operating officer, Röder Präzision said: “We are very happy to have found a partner in VerdeGo who has recognised the potential of the engine for hybrid applications. We are very confident that this new version of the engine will form the powertrain for several new electric aircraft that require an energy density currently unattainable with battery technology. We also see great market potential with regards to the possibility of using sustainable aviation fuels and supporting lower carbon emissions in the aviation.”