Brazilian plane manufacturer Embraer has just unveiled its latest-technology Energia family of four renewable-energy-propulsion aircraft. The concepts are the fruits of Embraer’s collaboration with an international consortium of engineering universities, aeronautical research institutes, and small and medium-sized enterprises in order to better understand energy harvesting, storage, thermal management and their applications where sustainable aircraft propulsion is concerned.
The four aircraft in question vary in size and design, capable of carrying between nine and 50 passengers. The Energia Hybrid with expected technology readiness in 2030 will have hybrid-electric propulsion, reduce CO2 emissions by 90%, will have nine seats and a rear-mounted engine. The Energia Electric will have full electric propulsion, zero CO2 emissions, nine seats, an aft contra-rotating propeller, and will be technology ready by 2035. The Energia H2 Fuel Cell will have hydrogen electric propulsion, zero CO2 emissions, 19 seats, rear-mounted electric engines, and will be technology ready by 2035. The Father of the family is the Energia H2 Gas Turbine with hydrogen or SAF/JetA turbine propulsion, up to 100% CO2 emissions reduction, 35 to 50 seats, twin rear-mounted engines and a technology readiness in 2040.
Currently each of the four aircraft is undergoing evaluation for its technical and commercial viability. While the Energia concepts are still on the drawing board, Embraer has already made advances in reducing its aircraft emissions, having tested drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), mixes of sugarcane and camelina plant-derived fuel and fossil fuel, on its family of E-Jets. The company is targeting to have all Embraer aircraft SAF-compatible by 2030.
