The reduction of both aircraft pollution and noise emission is one of the major goals European aerospace industry, targeting climate neutrality (net zero greenhouse emission) in 2050.
Clean Sky – the largest European aeronautical research program developing innovative technologies to reduce CO2 emissions – is now entering its final stage, to be concluded in 2023.
Within the Cleans Sky 2 Project, Piaggio Aerospace is participating in the research activities within the Engine Integrated Technology Demonstrator (ENG ITD).
One of the major 2021 milestones of ENG ITD is the Annual Review Meeting, intended to let the European Union monitor the progress of the Research Activities carried out in 2020. The meeting was held from the 10th to the 12th of May in the presence of all participating Partners, Clean Sky 2 Project Officers, and Independent Experts. The project progress has been judged positively, despite criticalities due to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, which limited the access to the test facilities.
The Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Clean Sky 2 Engine Integrated Technology Demonstrator (CS2 ENG ITD), covering the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020, has taken place remotely (via WebEx) May 10th-12th 2021, in the presence of Independent Experts, JU POs (Joint Undertaking Project Officers), and all Representatives of the Partners involved in the Project.
The meeting was intended to provide the Experts and JU POs a summary of the activities carried out in 2020 and an outlook on 2021 main events, as well as feedback to the Reviewers’ recommendations arising after 2020 ARM and 2020 IPR (Interim Progress Review). Further topics have dealt with useful information concerning Covid-19 impact assessment, evaluation of the dissemination, communication and exploitation plans and achievements, and a revision of the evolution of the CS2DP (Clean Sky 2 Development Plan).
During the event, a dedicated slot has been devoted to WP8 (Work Package 8) “More Advanced and Efficient Small Turbine Engine for SAT Market”, focusing on the development of a breakthrough engine for SAT applications. In particular, innovative MAESTRO turboprop design activities have been completed and the engine has been integrated at aircraft level into SAT Green 19-seater.
In addition, the series hybrid architecture for the e-STOL (Electric-Hybrid Short Take-Off and Landing) configuration has been down-selected, and development studies have started. Despite both technical and COVID-19 outbreaks causing issues and delays, the outcomes of the ARM were judged positively by both external Experts and POs.