Take off

The €1.6bn Clean Sky public private partnership could put Europe at the cutting edge of environmentally friendly aircraft design. Anthony Fletcher reports

Research commissioner Janez Potocnik, the keynote speaker at the Clean Sky joint technology initiative (JTI) official launch, emphasised that Clean Sky was fundamentally about developing cleaner, more competitive technologies that will put Europe in the cockpit of next generation aircraft design. “The challenges that stand before us today, such as boosting international competitiveness and tackling climate change, are common to all European countries, and research is a major part of the answer,” he said. “We stand a better chance to making a difference if we work together. This is the basic logic behind the Clean Sky JTI and I am delighted that it is now underway and ready to start its work.”

Three years after the concept was first aired, the JTI is finally on the runway.

Clean Sky is a partnership of the European commission, private business national governments and the research community. It aims to reduce the environmental impact of air transport by lowering noise and gaseous emissions and improving the fuel economy of aircraft. The concept behind the launch is that by combining resources and know-how, Europe will be at the cutting edge of developing new technologies capable of achieving these aims.

“For me, the difference is that Clean Sky unites the public and private interest,” Potocnik told journalists. “We have large areas of common purpose. We have a diverse group of contributors – a selection of leading companies, SMEs, and research institutions – and we are all agreed on the direction we need to take.”

In other words, everyone is in agreement that CO2 emissions must be cut wherever possible. Aviation accounts for three per cent of global CO2 emissions, but with passenger numbers set to explode in the next few years, the industry has come under increasing scrutiny. In addition, the EU is committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. Aviation clearly has a part to play in this. For its part, the European technology platform for aeronautics and air transport (Acare) has set a number of industry goals, such as a 50 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions through reduction of fuel consumption and a 50 per cent reduction in external noise.

The second major point about the JTI is that it has the potential to contribute significantly towards the EU’s Lisbon strategy of promoting growth and jobs. “This (the JTI) will keep the EU at the cutting edge,” said the commissioner. “This is not only a challenge, it is also an opportunity. Those industries that start sooner in developing less polluting, noisy aircraft will benefit the most. Technology is not the only answer, but its impact must not be underestimated.”

This in essence is why so many disparate partners have been able to find common ground. Developing cleaner, more efficient and less noisy aircraft is clearly in the public interest; it will lead to improved quality of life and help improve the environment. It will also help the EU meet various environmental and economic growth targets and put European industry at the cutting edge.

“This is about cross fertilisation,” said Potocnik. “For me the difference is that Clean Sky unites the public and private interest towards common goals. It shows how we are building the European research area. It is about stimulating the free circulation of knowledge, transfers and programmes of cooperation.”

The commissioner however stressed that the JTI must tread carefully, and that the commission would insist on having a major role to play. “We cannot afford to get it wrong,” he said. “The commission will establish the rules. This is essential for the safety of our Clean Sky flight.” Clean Sky will select technologies for development between 2008 and 2010, leading to full-scale demonstrations between 2013 and 2014. At present, 86 organisations from 16 countries, including 20 SMEs, 15 research centres and 17 universities are part of Clean Sky JTI.

“Today, the JTI comes into existence,” said Potocnik. “We are almost ready to take off. This event is a celebration of progress made, and of the journey ahead.”