Thread by @UKAeroInstitute

Welcome to our Twitter Q&A on net zero in aerospace to mark Transport Day at #COP26. Our panel is raring to go to answer your questions!

#netzero #aerospace #aviation #technology #innovation #asktheATI

On our panel today we have Dr Alejandro Block Novelo (ABN), Senior Technologist for Strategy & Integration at the ATI (@BlockAlejandro).

Also on the panel is Dr Katy Milne (KM), FlyZero’s Head of Industrial Strategy (@Katy_Milne).

Unfortunately Dr Cristina Garcia Duffy (@CGarciaDuffy) is unable to join our live Q&A, but you’re in very good hands with Katy and Alejandro.

It’s not too late to submit a question. Join our chat here, post a question using #asktheATI or email us at [e-mail]

If we don’t get the chance to answer your question today, we’ll put the questions to Alejandro, Katy and Cristina in a blog on the ATI web site soon. And so, onto our first question!....

@FThydrogen
With the U.K. @UKAeroInstitute decision on Liquid Hydrogen, what infrastructure investment do you see needed to be funded in the next 5-10 years which the U.K. doesn’t have? Eg Liquefaction like France has invested in? Do you see it being a national asset?

ABN: Today the zero-carbon hydrogen industry in the UK is virtually non-existent. The most immediate developments must deliver large-scale electrolysers and liquefiers to convert the gH2 into LH2. This has to be supported by a scaling-up of renewables.

ABN: These developments could be a national asset as clean energy (and its carrier, the H2) would be developed locally for national consumption with a potential to export - should the supply exceed the demand.

KM: The ATI FlyZero project is running a roundtable on aircraft and airport test infrastructure on 23rd November in partnership with @WEAF. You can register here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-…

For more on hydrogen, you can also find our joint report on hydrogen with @ACIWorld here: bit.ly/31E4Axk

Next question: What is the most promising technology to make aircraft greener? 🌍✈️❓

KM: Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuels are promising pathways to green aviation. Both will be challenging to scale. Hydrogen will need radical new aircraft designs but could be the greenest and most cost effective solution over the longer term.

ABN: There is not one single technology. Traditionally engines have provided the largest single improvement, but recent research on zero-carbon fuels have shown huge potential!

Next up, a great question on the passenger experience. Will passengers have to pay more to enable the aviation sector to reach net zero? 🌍✈️❓ #asktheATI

ABN: Even if we didn’t pursue net zero, passengers would have to pay more in the future as the cost of carbon will increase. Tickets prices for net zero technology might be initially higher but not prohibitive!

ABN: The question is - do we want to pay a bit more to prevent damage, or pay a lot more for the damage we will have done?

A question on how to define 'zero': What is the difference between 'net zero' and 'zero emissions', and which should the industry be focused on? 🌍✈️❓ #asktheATI

ABN: Zero carbon emissions are those technologies which don’t emit carbon when the energy in the fuel is transformed into movement. Net zero are those which do emit carbon but compensate for it over their life-cycle.

ABN: The world’s economy including aviation should aim to reach zero emissions and use net zero when this is not possible.

Thanks to Alejandro @BlockAlejandro and Katy @Katy_Milne for their insights so far! It's not too late to join the discussion - use #asktheATI or email us at [e-mail].

#COP26 #TogetherForOurPlanet #sustainability #aviation #aerospace #netzero

Next up: How is the ATI going to choose the right technology to support? 🌍✈️❓

KM: ATI has assessed technologies for zero-carbon tailpipe emissions through its FlyZero project – a project made up of experts from across UK industry and academia. Roadmaps for critical hydrogen technologies will be launched in early 2022 alongside the ATI technology strategy.

It's not all about CO2 - do we need to consider emissions of other greenhouse gases? 🌍✈️❓

KM: Yes! Some gases have more global warming potential than CO2. Water contrails also have a warming effect. Ongoing research into the impact of these emissions is essential so that we can prioritise technology that will have the most positive impact on global warming overall.

A question on manufacturing - the debate seems to focus on emissions in flight. Shouldn't we also be worried about the environmental impact of making aircraft in the first place? 🌍✈️❓

ABN: The ATI is also working on evaluating the manufacture and end-of-life of aircraft. Though this is very important these emissions typically represent a small percentage of the aircraft lifecycle emissions.

KM: Absolutely. When industry brings forward the new generation of hydrogen or ultra-efficient aircraft they should be developed to minimise emissions embodied during manufacturing and to be recyclable. Emissions from flight is >90% of the total lifecycle emissions.

We've had another question on the hot topic of hydrogen: aren't the challenges of producing and storing hydrogen too great to make it viable? 🌍✈️❓ #asktheATI

KM: There are solutions for producing and storing hydrogen. The challenge to scale the technology is significant but achievable. We need to direct effort and brain power at the problem. We need to collaborate across the aviation sector to accelerate development.

Our final question of the day and a great way to end this Q&A: how achievable are the deadlines being set for sustainable aviation? 🌍✈️❓ #asktheATI

KM: Sub-regional hydrogen aircraft will enter into service later this decade. Larger hydrogen aircraft could enter into service from the early 2030s. UK industry and innovation can accelerate the timeline by directing research efforts towards hydrogen technologies.

ABN: Aviation moves in long cycles; we need to move safely and truly sustainably. If we pull all the levers (H2, SAF, efficiency improvements) at once, and with strong ambition, it can still be done!

Thanks for following our Twitter Q&A today, and to Katy and Alejandro for their thoughts. We hope we've sparked some ideas.❓✈️🌍

We'd love to hear what you think, so please add your thoughts under any of the questions we've covered today. Enjoy the rest of Transport Day! #COP26