Solar Impulse Foundation has awarded its Efficient Solutions label, certifying clean technologies that are profitable while protecting the environment, to three US-based aviation solutions.
ZeroAvia in Hollister, California developed a zero-emission hydrogen electric aviation powertrain that can be installed on new aircraft and retrofitted to existing, already certified airframes, significantly lowering certification hurdles. Strategic partnerships enable integration with third-party components such as electric motors, inverters, H2 fuel cells and hydrogen tanks. Additional partnerships will allow ZeroAvia to source green hydrogen produced by electrolysis directly on-site in order to significantly lower fuel costs for airlines. The company anticipates Operations & Maintenance cost reduction of 50-60%.
United Aircraft Technologies, Inc. in Troy, New York, has introduced a smart sensor network designed to monitor the integrity of aircraft wiring. The system provides data on amperage leaks, electromagnetic interference, radiation, harmonic threats, temperature, humidity, pressure, and more while correlating gathered information to pre-diagnose for predictive maintenance. Smart interconnecting clamps reduce weight, improve safety, simplify maintenance, and reduce the impact of CO2 emissions. Clamps are, on average, 65-70% lighter than current metal clamps. Considering that some aircraft have up to 15,000 clamps, the smart network enables significant fuel and time savings.
LanzaTech in Skokie, Illinois received the Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions label for its carbon recycling technology that turns carbon waste emissions into ethanol, and converts it into a drop-in jet fuel. Reducing airplane CO2 emissions throughout the aviation industry is an environmental priority for airlines and governments. The company cites potential to displace 30% of crude oil, reducing global CO2 emissions by 7%.
“The Solar Impulse Foundation is working to accelerate the adoption of clean and profitable technologies in mobility, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, cities and overall infrastructure,” says Dr. Bertrand Piccard, founder and chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, who flew around the world in a solar-powered airplane and has been promoting profitable clean technologies since the year 2000. “The round-the world flight was possible through solar energy that powered the plane during the day and charged the batteries for night flight. The difference now is that clean technology is often more profitable than the old ways of doing things. Therefore, the global economy has everything to win in becoming sustainable and circular,” Piccard added.
To learn more about the Solar Impulse Foundation’s Solutions for Clean Aviation, visit https://solarimpulse.com/air-france
