The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), under the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Aviation Climate Taskforce, Inc. (ACT), have forged a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bolster joint efforts in advancing sustainable aviation technologies. This alliance aims to capitalize on the strengths of both entities to expedite research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) initiatives within the aviation sector.
Introducing the SAFARI Initiative: A Milestone for Sustainable Flight
ACT, a philanthropic organization committed to reshaping the future of eco-friendly aviation, has unveiled its latest endeavor, the Systemic Approaches for Aviation Research Initiative (SAFARI). Spearheaded by ACT, SAFARI aims to broaden its membership base and oversee the initiative’s management, leveraging NREL’s unparalleled expertise in systems analysis and technology. This collaborative venture will assemble researchers from diverse disciplines to establish a cohesive and purpose-driven RDD&D network.
Doug Arent, NREL’s Executive Director of Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, stressed the necessity for unprecedented collaboration to decarbonize aviation effectively. Arent emphasized NREL’s dedication to posing pertinent research queries, utilizing cutting-edge tools for data-driven insights, and fostering partnerships to expedite ongoing federal, state, and industry programs and collaborations.
Building on its longstanding legacy of pioneering clean energy innovations, NREL’s sustainable aviation initiative aims to craft comprehensive decarbonization strategies. These strategies encompass the entire aviation energy landscape, including the development of net-zero-carbon energy sources, optimization of infrastructure, and advancements in aircraft propulsion technologies.
The Vital Role of Collaborative Endeavors in Aviation Decarbonization
The collaboration between ACT and NREL will delve into various research domains, spanning sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen, electric propulsion, and the systemic interdependencies of the energy supply chain. These endeavors are pivotal in bolstering operational resilience, streamlining infrastructure, and enhancing aircraft efficiency.
Tom Light, CEO of ACT, highlighted the financial challenges confronting the aviation sector in its decarbonization journey. He underscored the imperative of diversifying funding sources, encompassing public, private, and philanthropic contributions, to support these ambitious objectives. ACT aims to broaden its coalition to encompass stakeholders from all sectors of the aviation industry.
The aviation sector, responsible for a substantial share of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, faces mounting pressure to curtail its environmental impact. With passenger numbers projected to double by 2037, the urgency to embrace sustainable practices has never been more pronounced. While emerging technologies like electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft hold promise, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presently offers a pragmatic, immediate solution to mitigate aviation’s carbon footprint. However, SAF production remains constrained, underscoring the imperative for innovation to render sustainable aviation fuels more accessible and cost-effective.
Mike Deimler, Global Leader of Innovations at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and a founding member of ACT, called for concerted action to drive breakthroughs in nascent aviation technologies. Deimler lauded the SAFARI initiative as a blueprint for collaborative innovation, indispensable for expeditiously deploying sustainable solutions throughout the industry.