Embraer unveiled a series of four concept aircraft it said it is “exploring” as part of the effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Energia Family includes 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.
"We see our role as a developer of novel technologies to help the industry achieve its sustainability targets,” according to Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer's SVP 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.”
The four concepts range in size from a nine-seat jet with fully electric propulsion, to a hydrogen or SAF/JetA turbine propulsion design that could seat 35- 50 passengers and crew.
Affonso added that Small aircraft are ideal on which to test and prove new propulsion technologies so that they can be scaled up to larger aircraft.
The Brazilian jet-builder explained it is working with universities, aeronautical research institutes, and small- and mid-sized businesses in order to gain better understanding of energy harvesting, storage, thermal management, and the applications of these “for sustainable aircraft propulsion.”
Embraer has already made progress in reducing emissions, including testing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other fuel alternatives in its E-Jets series of regional aircraft; as well as its single-engine EMB-203 Ipanema, a fully electric aircraft. It will demonstrate a hydrogen-fuel cell powered jet in 2025, and its fully-electric, zero-emissions vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) is in development to enter service in 2026.
"We will see a big transformation in our industry towards a more sustainable aviation,” predicted Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial 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."
