Roelof Vos
Dr. ir. Roelof Vos is an Associate Professor at the Aerospace Engineering Faculty of Delft University of Technology. His research is focused on new aircraft configurations and technologies to enable true sustainable aviation. Amongst others, he is the lead for the Flying V project that is performed at TU Delft in collaboration with industrial partners. Vos has published 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals, presented over 90 conference papers, and holds 4 patents. He has worked on various projects funded by the European Commission, the Dutch Research Council (NWO), and through public-private partnerships. He teaches courses on Aircraft Design and Aerodynamic Design as well as professional classes on Aerodynamic Design and Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Design. He is the author of the textbook "Introduction to Transonic Aerodynamics." Vos is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a member of the AIAA Aircraft Design Technical Committee. He holds a BSc (2004) and an MSc (2005) degree in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology and a PhD degree from the University of Kansas (2009) under sponsorship of the Fulbright Program.
Roelof Vos
Aviation
Innovation Fast Track
Society embraces new technologies, and market competition drives change
“Electrified money maker”
Regional aircraft are electrified, leading to a full-electric range of 1000 km. The low cost of electricity, their reduced noise profile, and their reduced maintenance cost make electric aircraft a commercially attractive alternative to fossil-fuelled aircraft. In addition, electrification improves the public perception of aviation, although the vast majority of the energy consumed by aviation still comes from fossil fuels.
Medium-range and long-range aircraft still operate on fossil fuels. However, the lower operational cost of electric aircraft makes it attractive to cover ranges up to 2000 km with an intermediate stop. This increases the number of take-offs and landings at airports, but due to the reduced noise profile of the aircraft, this is accepted under protest of citizens.
Single-pilot operations have become the standard, which reduces the need for experienced pilots and enables the growth in air traffic.
Airports are expanding to handle more airplanes, and each gate has a fast-charging system. All airport ground vehicles are electrified, and many vehicles operate autonomously.
Hyperconnected Systems
Society embraces new technologies, and government intervention drives change
“Costly Energy Mix”
Heavy investment from the European government has made hydrogen technology for aviation a safe alternative to fossil fuels.
Regional aircraft use battery-electric propulsion to ensure cost-efficient travel up to 1000 km. Hydrogen is propelling medium-range aircraft, although airfare is rising significantly, which reduces the demand for air travel within Europe.
To foster change, the European Commission (EC) combines tax initiatives with subsidies and strict regulations to ensure that airlines that operate “green” aircraft can effectively compete within the European domestic market. At the same time, the EC is negotiating with non-EU countries about bilateral agreements to grow the market for “green” aircraft outside the EU, despite their much higher operating cost compared to fossil-fuelled aircraft.
European airports are undergoing a significant change. All airport vehicles are electrified, and a fast-charging infrastructure for regional aircraft is installed, as well as hydrogen fuel storage and distribution systems. While the number of electric aircraft is increasing, the number of medium-range aircraft is reducing due to the lower demand stemming from the higher airfare.
Long-range aircraft operate on a mix of fossil fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), depending on where they are operated from. While SAF is even more expensive than hydrogen, the lack of global availability of hydrogen prevents widespread adoption for intercontinental flights. Regulations in the EU enforce all departing long-range aircraft to have at least 70% of SAF.
Due to the high cost of fuel, European airports have become less attractive as hubs for intercontinental flights, and their number has reduced significantly, which further reduces local noise and emissions but also negatively impacts economic development.
Sustainable Slowdown
Society is cautious towards new technologies, and government intervention drives change
“Subsidized flight”
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the form of “green” synthetic kerosene is a safe alternative to fossil kerosene and requires the least adoption of existing aircraft, airports, and certification standards.
Because SAF is even more expensive than hydrogen, the European domestic market for air travel is heavily regulated. Taxation on fossil-fuelled intercontinental flights pays for the subsidized SAF-based medium-range and long-range flights from European airports. Nonetheless, the airfares are high, which reduces the demand for air travel within the EU.
Outside the EU, the global aviation market is growing, and fossil fuel is still the primary energy source. The cheaper fuel outside of the EU sparks the growth of new intercontinental hubs at the edge of the EU from which regional and medium-range airplanes are operated into the EU on a non-refuelling round trip.
Large airport hubs in the EU are reducing their capacity due to the large reduction of intercontinental flights, which reduces the noise and emissions around airports. Airport infrastructure stays largely the same, although the electrification of ground vehicles is mandated by new legislation.
Mobility Patchwork
Society is cautious towards new technologies, and market competition drives change
“Business as usual”
Regional, medium-range, and long-range travel rely on fossil fuels. The last drop of fossil fuels will be used in aviation.
Although the public perception is that flying is a major contributor to climate change, the cheap tickets and economic benefits for society do not reduce the number of flights. On thin-haul routes, where rail does not provide a competitive alternative, the low airfare makes air travel the preferred option.
While the growth of the EU market is small, the global market for air travel is growing due to the increased wealth in developing countries. Despite steady technological advances, the contribution of aviation to global warming is steadily rising.
New technologies are developed that reduce emissions and cost, but progress is slow, and the impact is small. The global market remains unregulated, and neither tax incentives nor subsidies are used to stimulate change. Airport vehicles become fully electrified, reducing emissions and noise on the ground and improving the work environment for ground personnel.
Research questions
- What is the effect of new energy sources on the global-warming impact of aviation?
- What technologies need to be developed to enable climate-neutral aviation?
- What is the effect of new technologies on safety, operation, and airport infrastructure?