ELECT-AE - European Low Emission Combustion Technology in Aero Engines
Overview
Background & policy context:
The Vision 2020 as formulated by Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe, (ACARE) sets ambitious targets; especially the demand for 80% NOx and 50% CO2 emissions reduction from aviation with for the year 2000, requires focused and balanced research and technology initiatives for the near future. Aero-engines are committed to contribute 15 to 20 %-points to the CO2 emission target, other contributors being the air-framers (20-25%), operations and air traffic management (5-10%).
European companies are joining their research capabilities to promote the development of viable low emission combustion systems on a pre-competitive level. The timescale for the development of aero-engine combustors is long but there is a clear vision and forecast of environmental needs.
Objectives:
The ambitious ACARE targets, and especially the demand for 80% reduction of NOx emissions from aviation, require very well-focused and balanced RTD initiatives for the near future, to prepare the technology for a successful implementation of a new generation of aero-engine combustors and, therefore, a highly integrated research strategy platform. The EC funded Coordination Action ELECT-AE aimed to provide the impetus to bring together the key engine manufacturers and research establishments to enable this. The development of a concerted research strategy involves many complex interactions, and the continuous improvement of the corresponding processes and perspectives will ultimately provide good coordination.
Methodology:
The Coordination Action 'European Low Emission Combustion Technology in Aero-Engines' was dedicated to the support of the implementation of the goals of Vision 2020, i.e. strengthening the competitiveness of the European jet engine manufacturers and minimising the environmental impact of civil aviation with regard to emissions, thus generating economical and ecological benefits for European society.
The actions undertaken under the project and designed to support the establishment of a pre-competitive research strategy in respect to actual measures as well as the actions in the context of combustion technology for low emission of pollutants were as follows:
- Strategy on How-To-Do technology development
- Integration and strengthening of the European Research Area
- Enhancement of technology exploitation in Europe
- Dissemination of European research results and exchange of information
- Search and identification of appropriate SMEs and capable research partners in the EU and from new Member States.
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