Embraer Presents the Energia Family – Four New Sustainable Aircraft Concepts

Our Bureau - : Nov 10, 2021 - : 5:45 am

Embraer has announced a family of concept aircraft that it is exploring to help the industry achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The details of the Energia family, the latest in the company’s Sustainability in Action...

To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:

Embraer has announced a family of concept aircraft that it is exploring to help the industry achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The details of the Energia family, the latest in the company’s Sustainability in Action initiative, were broadcast live on Monday via YouTube from Embraer’s manufacturing facility in São José dos Campos.

The company has partnered with an international consortium of engineering universities, aeronautical research institutes, and small and medium-sized enterprises to better understand energy harvesting, storage, thermal management and their applications for sustainable aircraft propulsion.

The Energia Family is comprised of four concept aircraft of varying sizes that incorporate different propulsion technologies – electric, hydrogen fuel cell, dual fuel gas turbine, and hybrid-electric. Each aircraft is being evaluated for its technical and subsequent commercial viability.

The Energia Hybrid (E9-HE) is a hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft, with a potential up to 90% CO2 emissions reduction. It will have 9 seats and
rear-mounted engines. The technology is expected to be ready by 2030. Energia Electric (E9-FE), a full electric propulsion aircraft with zero CO2 emissions, will also have 9 seats. The aircraft will have an aft contra-rotating propeller. Technology readiness is expected by 2035.

The bigger 19-seat Energia H2 Fuel Cell (E19-H2FC) is a hydrogen electric propulsion aircraft with zero CO2 emissions and ear-mounted electric engines. The technology is expected to be ready by 2035. The biggest of the four aircraft with 35-5- seats, Energia H2 Gas Turbine (E50-H2GT) concept has hydrogen or SAF/JetA urbine propulsion and will offer up to 100% CO2 emissions reduction. The aircraft will have
rear-mounted engines. Technology readiness is expected by 2040.

“We see our role as a developer of novel technologies to help the industry achieve its sustainability targets," said Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer’s Sr. VP of Engineering, Technology and Corporate Strategy. "There’s no easy or single solution in getting to net zero. New technologies and their supporting infrastructure will come online over time. We’re working right now to refine the first airplane concepts, the ones that can start reducing emissions sooner rather than later."

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, commented on the company´s strategy regarding sustainability “We will see a big transformation in our industry towards a more sustainable aviation. With 50 years’ experience in developing, certifying and supporting regional aircraft, Embraer is in a unique position to make viable the introduction of new disruptive green technologies.”

Embraer has already 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.