System for green operations

This ITD will create value for improved aircraft operation through the management of aircraft energy and the management of mission and trajectory. The highest overall benefits will be realised during the approach, on-ground and departure phases, where the environmental impact near built-up areas is directly affected. In addition, the technologies from this ITD are enablers for further improvements in environmental impacts at the vehicle level.

In cruise:

• less CO2 and NOx emitted due to reduced fuel consumption through improved energy management and mission management.

During approach and departure phases:

• less CO2 and NOx in these flight phases, achieved through new trajectories, systems weight reduction and reduced fuel consumption.
• noise reduction during departure approach due to new trajectory and mission management

On-Ground:

• less CO2 and NOx around the airport area on-ground due to a reduction in fuel consumption.

The Management of Aircraft Energy encompasses all aspects of on-board energy provision, storage, distribution and consumption. The goals are directly related to the overall Clean Sky objectives:

• Optimisation of power consumption as well as of the aircraft energy along the mission. This will be done through reduction of waste energy directly attributable to aircraft systems through better equipment system efficiency and through optimisation of energy transport and distribution systems. This leads to a direct reduction of fuel consumption and consequently of pollutant exhausts (CO₂, NO_x).
• Reduction of maintenance-related environmental impacts, such as elimination (or drastic reduction) of undesirable fluids like hydraulics or cooling fluids.

Industrial research has produced novel technologies, such as this 125kW motorised air cycle machine from Liebherr and Thales, which can now be tested in flight

The main focus of energy management demonstration in Clean Sky will be the validation and maturation of technologies and sub-architectures to TRL 6. This is needed to show that the technologies work in the relevant altitude, temperature, vibration and pressure environment. Thus, we intend to demonstrate:

• Proven large-scale ground-based architectural integration of electrical generation, distribution and loads, together with their management
• Proven large-scale ground-based architectural integration of thermal management technologies. Where maturity is shown, these will be integrated with the electrical equipment systems
• Flight proven electrical equipment systems, including environmental conditioning, actuation, ice protection
  Flight proven technologies, architectures and concepts for distribution and recycling of electrical energy through power electronics
• Flight proven technologies and sub-systems for thermal exchange and management, including liquid loops and large heat exchangers

Flight testing of mature combinations of thermal and electrical technologies, to demonstrate aspects of total energy management

New approaches for the Management of Trajectory and Mission have to be adopted for an overall optimisation of the aircraft and systems. This will be enabled by the following four concepts:

Green Trajectories, based on more precise, reliable and predictable 3 dimensional flight path, optimised for minimum noise impact and low emission, including agile trajectory management, in response to meteorological hazard.

On the airfield itself, Smart Ground Operations uses new systems solutions and new ground procedures, so as to allow airplane engines to reduce fuel consumption and offer additional environmental benefits.

A Green Mission from start to finish, with management of new climb, cruise and descent profiles, based on new aircraft performances database which includes noise parameter and allows multi-criteria optimisation (noise, emissions, fuel, time), including management of weather conditions which could negatively impact the aircraft optimum route and results in additional fuel consumption

Avoiding bad weather whilst following future ATM rules are a challenge

For all these items, Clean Sky will capitalise on the results of previous and on-going European studies, notably three “Integrated Projects”: OPTIMAL (new procedures for approach and landing), FLYSAFE (management of meteorological hazards), EMMA (management of ground movement), ERAT (new procedures to reduce environmental impact in extended TMA. See http://www.erat.aero/).

Coordination will be made to ensure compatibility and coherence with SESAR: SESAR will propose scenarios and roadmaps for the efficient evolution of the ATM in Europe . It will address solutions, including procedures, to optimise ATM system capacity, as well as flight efficiency and associated reduction in environmental impact, in a multi-aircraft context. Clean Sky will optimise on-board systems for environmental impact at the aircraft level only, taking into account SESAR outcomes in term of procedures and trajectories.