How environmentally friendly will Boeing Co. jets be in the future?
The answer to that question lies, in part, with Jeanne Yu, who leads Boeing’s environmental efforts for airplanes.
“We have been working on airplane environmental performance … for almost 20 years,” Yu said during a recent interview.
 |
| The 747-8’s environmental advantages |
Although Boeing keeps aspects like community noise and environmentally friendly materials in mind, “we still are very focused on carbon dioxide and fuels,” Yu said.
Some of that work can be seen in Boeing’s latest jets: the 747-8 and the all-new 787 Dreamliner.
Both aircraft boast significant improvements in fuel efficiency over similarly sized jets. Boeing says the 747-8 passenger plane will use 16 percent less fuel than the 747-400 even though the new jumbo jet seats more passengers. And the 787 is billed as being 20 percent more fuel efficient than aircraft of the same size.
Such strides in fuel efficiency don’t just come from a single improvement within an aircraft. Rather, it takes a combination of advanced materials, like the 787’s increased use of composites, fuel-sipping engines and improved aerodynamics, as can be seen in the wings of both aircraft.
Boeing is so obsessed with producing more fuel-efficient aircraft that about 75 percent of commercial airplanes research and development funds are directed to environmentally friendly aspirations, said Jim Albaugh, president of the division, in an interview in May.
“There’s not just one silver bullet” for fuel efficiency, Yu said.
Therefore, Boeing is looking at a number of ways to reduce fuel use and cut carbon dioxide emissions. Those efforts include research in biofuels, structural materials, systems efficiency and weight reduction.
Biofuels have shown tremendous potential in a short amount of time due to global collaboration, Yu said. Both Boeing and its rival Airbus have seen their airplanes take flights partially powered by biofuels in just the past few years.
Boeing has incorporated an increased use of carbon fiber composites in its aircraft. More than 50 percent of the 787 will be composed of composites.
But composites aren’t the only area where jetmakers can cut weight and thereby reduce fuel consumption, Yu said. Boeing has incorporated carbon brakes and is testing lightweight carpet.
Even with the focus on fuel efficiency, both Boeing and Airbus have struggled to find a solution for their single-aisle jets. Boeing wants an improvement in fuel savings of 20 percent in order to introduce an all-new 737 replacement. If Boeing and its engine-maker partners can’t come up with a solution in order to introduce a jet by 2020, the company instead will offer its current product with new engines, Albaugh told investors recently.
Will all the tools available for improving fuel efficiency, “I think actually the biggest challenge is how we come together with an integrated solution,” Yu said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
