Did you know that the aviation industry forms the very center of America’s socio-economic pillar? By 2030, this market is expected to reach USD 105 billion. That will be a 4.46% CAGR between 2024 and 2030. While the commercial aviation industry holds the largest share, military aviation will soon catch up.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the future goals for this sector are interconnectivity, speed, accessibility, and efficiency. However, aviation still accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions.
With this issue arises the question of sustainability. Thankfully, industry leaders have already figured out how to make aviation environmentally friendly. For instance, United Airlines is working towards achieving net zero carbon emissions with the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2050.
Do you want to know more about sustainable innovations? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the technologies and inventions that will change the future of the aviation industry.
#1. Sustainable Fuel Options: Flying Green
Biofuels and synthetic fuels are set to reduce carbon emissions. According to the IATA, SAF is supposed to reduce 65% of CO2 emissions by 2050. You can derive these alternatives from renewable sources to decrease environmental impact without reducing efficiency.
The most popular fuel for this would be hydrogen, leading the industry to develop carbon capture technologies. Science Direct reports that hydrogen energy has become a widely acknowledged and viable fuel option for the aviation industry.
Currently, it’s also being tested and utilized as sustainable green energy. The industry has developed new engine models to accommodate hydrogen fuel cells, with a budget of USD 9.5 billion for commercialization.
However, the cost of production remains high. Similarly, NASA reports that hydrogen’s low density has become an issue for storage options. According to H2MOF, storing hydrogen through liquefaction or compression uses a significant amount of energy, making the whole process expensive and inefficient.
Thankfully, new technologies are emerging that will revolutionize the aviation industry. For example, metal-organic frameworks can be used to store solid-state hydrogen at a lower cost. As a result, the future of hydrogen as a SAF seems bright.
#2. Electric Propulsion Systems: Soaring Towards the Future
NASA researched a new possibility for reducing energy usage and traditional fuel in aviation. With the invention of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP), aircraft can possibly be powered by electric motors, batteries, and fuel cells. The vision of this innovative technology is to transform “science fiction into reality” for efficient flights.
Currently, the EAP industry is expected to grow at a 12% CAGR between 2023 and 2033. It will generate a market value of USD 20,331.9 million by then. This statistic proves how popular this technology really is.
EAP systems offer the promise of zero emissions, quieter operations, lower costs, etc. It also has the potential to sustain longer aircraft lifespans, as the technology aims to use fewer moving parts. Even then, challenges with energy density and battery weight remain an issue.
In the future, technical advancements in electric propulsion systems can potentially transform regional and short-haul flights. This will offer a sustainable alternative to conventional aviation techniques that can combat climate change.
In July 2024, an Australia-based aviation company, Dovetail, unveiled the testing of a unique hydrogen-electric propulsion system.
#3. Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology: Better Customer Service
This technology can help enhance customer service, improve baggage tracking, and optimize passenger flow management. The FDA reports that RFID technology is a wireless system that comes with:
- Tags: These use radio waves as a way to communicate identity and other information to nearby readers.
- Readers: This device has antennas and emits radio waves or receives signals back from tags.
The aviation industry can use RFID tags to embed in luggage for real-time tracking. Similarly, passengers can use this for seamless check-ins, boarding processes, and security screenings. As a result, it can reduce wait times, improve operational efficiency, etc.
According to RFID Reader News, this technology promotes sustainability by enhancing accuracy, reducing waste, and optimizing processes. RFID contributes to a sustainable aviation industry by offering the following:
- Reduced energy consumption at airports while handling ground operations due to streamlined processes.
- Maximum cost efficiency because RFID tags can be reused and are very durable, which reduces waste production.
- Minimal carbon footprint from lost baggage incidents by reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
The aviation industry is on the brink of transformation. It’s paving the way for the arrival of sustainable technologies to foster commitment towards a better future.
For example, sustainable fuel options like hydrogen energy can reduce the dependence on traditional jet fuels. Moreover, with electric propulsion systems, airlines can reduce emissions.
All these underscore the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability and mitigating carbon footprints.
