Environmentally Friendly Aviation for all Classes of Aircraft

Projektinformationen

EFACA

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 101056866

DOI

10.3030/101056866

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 14 Dezember 2022

Startdatum 1 Januar 2023

Enddatum 31 Dezember 2026

Finanziert unter

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Gesamtkosten

€ 3 803 169,50

EU-Beitrag

€ 3 803 168,00

Koordiniert durch

PEDECE PROJECTO EMPREENDIMENTOS DESENVOLVIMENTO E EQUIPAMENTOS CIENTIFICOS E DE ENGENHARIA UNIPESSOAL LDA
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EFACA (Environmentally Friendly Aviation for all Classes of Aircraft)

Berichtszeitraum: 2024-07-01 bis 2025-12-31

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

The EFACA project consists of 6 main objectives at 3 levels. Level 1 consists of three TRL3 demonstrations of technologies relevant to the greening of aviation: (WP1) bench testing of a gearbox combining input from gas turbine and electric motor for an hybrid turbo-electric propulsion system for a propeller-driven regional aircraft; (WP2) comparative testing of fuel cells with conventional liquid and novel phase cooling, to show the benefits up to 20% of the latter in higher net power, reduced heat losses, and smaller volume and weight also reengineering of fuel cell and structural components to increase power-to-weight ratio up to 80%; (WP3) static ground testing of a complete liquid hydrogen fuel system from cryogenic tank to vaporization and combustion in a wide range of operating regimes and simulation of application to the speed and altitude flight envelope of jet airliners. Level 2 consists of two preliminary designs: (WP7) an 80-seat 1000-km range regional propeller driven aircraft including design and integration of hybrid turbo-electric propulsion;(WP8 and 9) a 150-seat 2000-km range jet liner with liquid hydrogen fuel including design and integration of cryogenic tanks and fuel system. At level 3 a road map (WP10) for the achievement of the EU environmental targets for aviation synthetizing conclusions in four steps: (i) current status on (WP4) emissions and (WP5) noise versus future targets and gap to be covered; (ii) assessment of relevant technologies to cover the gaps, including (WP6) battery electric and (WP9) sustainable aviation fuels, besides hydrogen (WP7) fuel cells and (WP8) turbines; (iii) most suitable technology for each class of aircraft (light, small and medium regional, single and twin aisle jetliners), and maturation time of the technology; (iv) contribution of each aircraft class to CO2 and non- CO2 global and local emissions and noise, leading to (WP10) a comprehensive road map of actions for carbon-free or emissions-free flight.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

During the period from M19 to M36 of the EFACA project, significant technical and scientific advancements were made. The project partners have diligently worked towards meeting the planned deliverables and milestones, with a particular focus on the completion of tasks during this period. A list of the deliverables accomplished during months 19 to 36 is provided here:

D1.3 Installation and commissioning of EE integrated into test bench IVCHENKO 36
D3.3 Report on the realization of the liquefaction, storage and vaporization test rig and on the update of the combustion test rig POLIMI 24
D3.4 Intermediate report on the results from the experimentation POLIMI 36
D4.2 Results of aircraft emission inventory estimation for current fleet and projected trends of aviation neutrality by 2050 CEPA 24
D4.3 Results of emission inventory estimation for updated fleet via selected technologies for the different classes of aircraft CEPA 36
D4.4 Report on gap analysis to achieve ACARE 2050 emission goals by comparison emission inventory results current fleet and updated fleet via selected technologies CEPA 36
D5.2 Results of aircraft noise assessment at aircraft, airport and fleet levels with complementarily analysis of their calculation and measuring tools NOISE 24
D5.3 Results of aircraft noise assessment at aircraft, airport and fleet levels for updated fleet via selected technologies for the different classes of aircraft NOISE 28
D5.4 Report on gap analysis to achieve ACARE 2050 aircraft noise goals by comparison the results for current and updated aircraft fleets via selected technologies NOISE 36
D6.1 Application of battery technologies to aircraft UPM 24
D6.2 Types and roles of battery powered aircraft UPM 24
D7.6 Shaping the FC concept of hydrogen – electrical energy IVCHENKO 20
D7.7 Shaping the FC concept of hydrocarbon fuel – electrical energy IVCHENKO 20
D7.9 Shaping the vaporizer concept, determination of its mass IVCHENKO 20
D7.10 Shaping the cracking case concept, determination of its mass. Shaping the EE concept, determination of its mass IVCHENKO 20
D7.11 Shaping the HTEP concept IVCHENKO 27
D7.12 Calculation of the aircraft characteristics with various variants of the HTEP as for a typical flight profile IVCHENKO 30
D7.13 Selection of the optimal scheme for providing energy to HTEP IVCHENKO 36
D7.14 Refinement of the aircraft concept based on the adopted HTEP scheme. Clarification of requirements for HTEP IVCHENKO 36
D7.15 Elaboration of requirements for the main components of the HTEP: GTE, FC, EE, propeller IVCHENKO 36
D8.4 Feasibility study report for the aircraft ANTONOV 36
D8.5 Comparative analysis and justification of the choice of on-board liquid hydrogen storage and supply systems ANTONOV 36
D8.6 Design of components of liquid hydrogen fuel system ANTONOV 36
D8.7 The concept of a hydrogen-fuelled combustion chamber ANTONOV 36
D8.8 Concepts of hydrogen-fuelled engine fuel system ANTONOV 36
D9.2 Advances on SAF properties and compatibility UNISA 36
D10.4 Prospects for emissions free aviation, local air quality and airport noise UPM 34
D11.2 Planning and report on the dissemination and outreach activities_2 version INOVA 36
D11.3 Exploitation and IPR management Plan and reporting activities_3 report INOVA 36
D12.3 Data Management Plan_3 version PEDECE 36
D12.4 Risk management and quality and innovation impact assessment strategy_2 version PEDECE 20
D12.4 Risk management and quality and innovation impact assessment strategy_3 version PEDECE 32

A detailed description of the progress achieved per Work Package is provided in the technical component of the project's mid-term report.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

The EFACA project has achieved significant progress in developing sustainable aviation technologies, particularly in hybrid- and hydrogen-powered aircraft. Key advancements include the development of turbo-electric gearboxes, fuel cell cooling systems, and liquid hydrogen fuel systems. Simulations have shown reductions in CO2 and non-CO2 emissions, contributing to the EU’s environmental goals for 2050. Noise reduction measures have also been assessed, demonstrating the potential for quieter aviation.
The project’s potential impacts extend to environmental sustainability, with significant reductions in aviation’s carbon footprint. The economic sustainability of these technologies is expected to improve over time, providing long-term benefits. Additionally, EFACA strengthens the EU’s position as a leader in green aviation technologies.
To ensure continued success, further research and large-scale demonstrations are needed, particularly in propulsion and noise reduction technologies. Access to markets and finance is crucial for scaling these innovations, and a supportive regulatory framework will be essential for broader adoption and commercialization.