International advisory panel provides 15 key recommendations for new sustainable aviation hub in Singapore

The road to net zero for the aviation industry is to be paved with SAFs (Sustainable Aviation Fuels). Whilst the technology remains in its infancy, in the short-term, IAP recommendations for Changi airport could provide a blueprint for industry-wide carbon reductions.
Published
October 6, 2022

The IAP’s 15 recommendations

In order to aid in creating the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) established the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Sustainable Air Hubs.  To explore how international aviation may be made more sustainable and accessible for all, the IAP brings together 20 industry, technological, and knowledge leaders from Singapore and around the world to examine how Singapore can support this global endeavour.[i] The inaugural meeting was held in Singapore on February 14, 2022, and it was opened by Mr S. Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister in Charge of Trade Relations of Singapore. Singapore can play a significant role as a trailblazer, convenor, and facilitator for the cross-sectoral collaboration and public-private partnership required to reconfigure the aviation ecosystem to support sustainable operations and make it a commercially viable reality as an international centre for business, aviation, and aerospace. As a participant in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the global civil aviation community, Singapore may also exert thought leadership, collaborate with other nations, and support regional and international efforts to combat climate change.[ii]

Previously ZCA has discussed how sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are being rolled out across the aviation industry and a wider sector plan that sets out goals for transparency, unity and  action-oriented targets.  However, the IAP’s 15 recommendations add new dimensions to the pursuit of net zero in the aviation industry. Whilst there is once again a focus on international collaboration and SAFs, the recommendations also include system optimisations.

System optimisations from the IAP report

Source: IAP (ATM- Air traffic management ATFM- Air traffic flow management)

In 2023, CAAS will release the Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, which will include the IAP's suggestions. The Blueprint will offer a decarbonisation plan for the Singapore aviation hub, with attainable goals for the medium- and long-terms of 2030 and 2050.

Digital twins for decarbonisation

IBM defines digital twins as ‘a virtual representation of an object or system that spans its lifecycle, is updated from real-time data, and uses simulation, machine learning and reasoning to help decision-making.’.[iii] Consequently, a digital twin is a crucial tool for engineers and operators to comprehend not only how things are currently working but also how they will perform in the future. Users can create these predictions by analysing the data from the connected sensors and combining it with data from other sources.[iv] The Dutch province of Zuid-Holland chose ARUP  to produce a digital twin for a portion of the city hall building as they contended with how to make buildings climate neutral by 2030. ARUP's digital twin was then utilised to determine the most affordable energy transition strategies to future-proof the regional government offices by bringing together digital and design professionals. Their research uncovered extensive improvements that can lower energy use by 39% just by changing a few system parameters, all without requiring further investment.[v] Developing a similar system to function at airports could conceivably see a similar reduction.

Understanding performance to reduce emissions

Airbourne delays are something that those who regularly travel by air will be familiar with; even those who may have never flown might be familiar with the practice of aircraft “stacking up” as they circle airports, a common feature at London Heathrow, for example. The Eurocontrol innovation hub conducted a sensitivity study, considering a control of the average aerial delay every 30 minutes and adjusting the aim from 10 down to 2 minutes to examine the theoretical viability of managing arrival airborne delays by acting on ground delays. According to the simulation results, airborne delays can be adequately managed up to a target time of 6 or even 4 minutes, even if the 2-minute target is not met. There is a reduction of 19 tonnes of CO2 per peak hour with the 6 minutes target scenario for the four airports (weighted average) compared to the "today" scenario (from 7 to 3 hours), with no discernible negative impact on runway throughput.[vi] Whilst only a simulation, the Eurocontrol innovation hub demonstrates that there are possible carbon reductions by understanding ground operations and delays at airports.

Optimising operations in real time  

The DCB (demand capacity balancing), a predictive decision-making platform, uses a variety of data sources, including weather conditions, live flight data, and airport operational data, to provide seamless, uninterrupted airside operations.

Through the development of pre-emptive plans by the airport operations teams, the in-the-moment operational reaction capability provides peak performance for the airport on the given day. At Heathrow Airport, DCB is  used to produce the data required for the best possible interaction between the Airport and Network Operation Plans.[vii] Eurocontrol’s aviation intelligence report suggests that the further development of advanced DCB could mean that aircraft trajectories could be optimised to reduce fuel inefficiency by between 8.6% and 11.2%.[viii] Perhaps summing up the core of this blog Marylin Bastin, Head of Aviation Sustainability at  Eurocontrol and one of the authors of the report, said:

“This is an important short-term benefit which doesn’t require us to wait for new aircraft technology,”.[ix]

All three of the recommendations from the IAP that have been discussed all have the value of already being actionable. This is vital for the aviation industry as it continues to base the core of its net zero strategy on SAFs that will require technological advancement before it can have the desired impact.

References

[i] IAP- Developing a Sustainable Air Hub in Singapore

[ii] Ibid

[iii] IBM- What is Digital Twin?

[iv] Ibid

[v] ARUP- The road to net zero: government HQ digital twin helps turn complex questions into simple answers

[vi] Eurocontrol Innovation Hub- Control of airborne delays by acting on ground delays: an option to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions?

[vii] NATS- Demand Capacity Balancing The power of predictability when every day is different

[viii] Eurocontrol- Aviation Outlook 2050: air traffic forecast shows aviation pathway to net zero CO₂ emissions

[ix] Ibid

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Oscar Pusey
Research Analyst

Oscar is a recent graduate with a background in earth science. He is currently studying an MSc focussing on disaster responses, emergency planning and community resilience. His postgraduate research project will assess the link between climate crisis risk perception and attitudes to green energy projects. “Adapting to the climate crisis through the pursuit of net zero requires community engagement and understanding. Zero Carbon Academy’s goals closely align with this approach and I’m excited to have the opportunity to research and communicate a variety of topics relating to our environment and sustainability”.

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