Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  July 18, 2022

Boeing Launches Decarbonization Tool

Boeing unveiled a new data modeling tool to show the most effective scenarios for reaching a path to net zero emissions by 2050 for the commercial aviation industry. 

The model includes consultation with several universities and will continue to be used with key stakeholders. The company also shared illustrative hydrogen and electric concepts that could power the future of flight.

"There are multiple ways to a future where aviation has zero climate impact. We created Cascade on a foundation of credible data and analytical models to allow users to explore various pathways to net-zero. We think this model will help our industry visualize, for the first time, the real climate impact of each solution, from beginning to end, and to inform the most probable and effective strategies," said Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond in a statement.

Cascade is a data modeling tool Boeing created with consulting from leading universities. The tool appraises Boeing's major paths to decarbonize aviation and their potential power to reduce emissions through:

• Airplane fleet renewal
• Renewable energy sources such as sustainable fuel, hydrogen, electric propulsion
• Operational efficiency improvements
• Advanced technologies

The Cascade model assesses the full lifecycle impacts of renewable energy by accounting for the emissions required to produce, distribute and use alternative energy carriers such as hydrogen, electricity and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Boeing plans to utilize the Cascade tool with airline operators, industry partners, and policymakers to inform when, where, and how different fuel sources intersect with new airplane designs.

Boeing continues to advance the safety and viability of other renewable energy sources and their use on aircraft. Since the mid-2000s, Boeing has conducted six hydrogen technology demonstrations with crewed and uncrewed aircraft using hydrogen fuel cells and combustion engines. Last year, Boeing successfully tested a cryotank designed for space with the capacity to hold 16,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen or the energy equivalent of the Jet A fuel in a typical regional jet.

Read These Related Articles:

• With NASA’s X-Plane, Net-Zero Aviation Takes Giant Leap Forward
• Boeing’s Decarbonization Ambitions Take Flight
• Boeing Launches Cascade to Support Aviation's Net Zero Goal
• United Launches $100M Sustainable Flight Fund
• Alaska Airlines Starts SAF Program Through Partnerships 

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