The global aviation industry has committed to achieving net-zero flying by 2050. However, the path to reaching the goal is complex, with innovation serving as a crucial solution. Aviation accounts for at least 2% of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency, and these emissions have a significant impact on global warming due to their high-altitude release.
Companies are exploring various advances like hydrogen combustion, electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Achieving cost-effective decarbonization requires transparency, adaptability, and a clear distinction between short-term and long-term initiatives.
“One of the main opportunities lies in finding green propulsion sources. In the short term, SAF appears to be the most promising, potentially contributing up to 65 percent of the emission reductions needed for the journey towards net-zero aviation. Hydrogen, with its versatility and carbon-free combustion properties, may become a major player in aviation by the 2030s,” explains Shobha Kulavil, Vice President and Industry Platform Leader for Aerospace and Defence – India, Capgemini.
Transitioning to these new fuel and propulsion sources is essential, with airframe efficiency improvements likely to yield savings of 10-20 percent. Optimizing flight paths can also contribute to sustainability and cost-efficiency, making it a focus for operators.
“Large aerospace companies rely on suppliers for up to 80 percent of the finished product. There is a need to recalibrate with the entire supply chain and also introduce new partners to design and build the next generation of green aircraft while driving the sustainability goals across the supply network,” she explains.
According to her, Capgemini has developed a digital framework augmented with solution accelerators, aligning with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) framework, a framework widely used in the industry for product excellence and efficient design intent communication for stakeholders across the value chain.
“Capgemini along with our partner AWS has developed an AI and ML based platform aimed at accelerating the adoption of circular economy practices in the aviation industry by automating the inspection process, optimizing lifecycle analysis of aircraft parts, and guiding decisions to extend their lifespan,” she tells Financial Express Online.
In her view, embracing a culture of experimentation is essential to facilitate the exploration of complex aerospace technologies. Building a strong partner ecosystem is also crucial to know which labs, startups and institutions have the technology and IP to improve designs.
How will digital enablers speed up the journey to Net Zero in aviation?
According to her, while the industry is aligned on the key steps for decarbonization, addressing the challenges will require digital technologies to measure, classify and analyse data and leverage AI and ML for further analysis and smart recommendations. Digital engineering can play a key role in speeding up this journey.
“Digital enablers, such as advanced design software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer a wide range of applications, ranging from optimizing aircraft configurations to enhancing safety and cost-efficiency through simulations and physics-based modelling. Expert-designed modelling can define the most effective configuration for fuselages, tanks and wings and predict optimal materials,” she highlights.
Adding, “AI can propose optimal configurations based on specific criteria, reducing the need for physical prototypes and minimizing errors. This streamlined design process accelerates innovation and reduces carbon emissions from manufacturing and testing.”
Furthermore, digital engineering allows for rapid testing of new concepts, enabling quick iteration and improvement. For example, digital models have been utilized to explore noise reduction using toroidal propellers, facilitating faster development and implementation of noise-reducing technologies.
According to her, model-based system engineering enables holistic analysis of aircraft systems throughout their lifecycle, expediting validation and verification processes and allowing more of the test and evaluation work to be done digitally. “Automated data capture, AI-driven simulations, and cross-sector anomaly detection enhance testing efficiency and accuracy, reducing certification time and costs. Additionally, a robust cloud-based infrastructure, along with AI, machine learning, big data analytics tools, and cybersecurity measures, supports collaboration, innovation, and reduced environmental impact.”
“Efforts to enhance aircraft energy efficiency are also supported by digital enablers, which extend beyond flight performance to sourcing energy and carbon-efficient materials. Predictive maintenance, driven by cost-saving and emissions reduction considerations, ensures optimal operational efficiency,” she stresses.