Replay our 2021 webinar series on Aviation Reimagined – Decarbonising Flight

Griffith Institute for Tourism and Griffith Aviation hosted a second webinar series on Aviation Reimagined – Decarbonising Flight.

Over five short sessions in September, we explored research, innovation and good practice that is underway in the aviation sector with regards to new fuels and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Hear from experts, officials and innovators around the world and in Australia as they share their insights and ideas.

This series was facilitated by Dr Emma Whittlesea from Griffith Institute for Tourism, and Professor Tim Ryley from Griffith Aviation. We have fourteen great speakers engaged in this series representing industry, government, academia and interest groups – please scroll down to see the program and to meet our 2021 presenters.

Session 1 - Aviation Net Zero

2 September, 3pm – 4.15pm AEST

This webinar explored the drivers for decarbonising aviation and the rapid developments and advancements that will be required.

Reducing emissions from flying -  why stronger measures are needed

Andrew Murphy, Aviation Director, Transport & Environment

Governments have repeatedly failed to take action to reduce the climate impact of flying, putting in doubt the future of this crucial sector. However, there are no shortage of measures that can be adopted to address this problem, including carbon pricing and alternative fuel standards. This presentation discussed these measures.

Aviation’s Climate for Growth - Tomorrow’s Net Zero Carbon Future

Ken Conway, Head of Sustainable Aviation, AirBiz

Listen to the latest views on Net Zero Carbon drivers and what a Net Zero Carbon airport of the future really looks like. From goals to actions through disruptive innovation, technology and leadership underpinned by strong partnerships and supportive policy. Insights are shared on how to deliver concrete results through practical, feasible climate action and emissions reduction in line with shared international goals and a restart of aviation and the benefits that it brings.

Session 2 - Aviation Policy Leadership

9 September, 3pm – 4.15pm AEST

This webinar explored aviation policy and program leadership and advancements, to assist the sector to decarbonise.

Leading an industry through transition and crisis – the Swedish story

Fredrik Kämpfe, Director Industry Affairs, Swedish Aviation Industry Group

Aviation is facing its biggest challenge ever. It must become sustainable at the same time as overcoming the effects of the enormous market decline created by the Covid pandemic. Many actors and interests have a view and a role to play and the solution requires an “all hands on deck” approach, this is an example from Sweden.

UK Jet Zero Council

Dr Michelle Carter, Head of Transport, KTN

The UK government has established a Jet Zero Council to bring together industry and government to deliver zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation. This talk offers an overview of the leadership and work being conducted in the UK with emphasis on the Jet Zero Council Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Delivery Group.

Sounds Air Electric Aircraft

Rhyan Wardman, Board Chair & Director, Sounds Air

Sounds Air is on an ambitious journey to become one of the first airlines in the world to offer zero-emission services to customers. They recently commissioned a feasibility study that reviewed the technology evolution in aviation and suggested pathways that Sounds Air may take to reach their goal. This presentation covered their journey to date and insights and conclusions made from this study.

Session 3 - Aviation Technology Developments

16 September, 3pm – 4.15pm, AEST

This webinar explored the latest technological developments that could help accelerate reduced emissions in aviation.

A whole-of-government approach to enabling advanced air mobility

Hugh Ross, Assistant Director, National Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Australian Government

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications shared how it is working across government to enable the aviation industry to take advantage of emerging technologies. In particular, this presentation explored how the initiatives outlined in 2021’s National Emerging Aviation Technologies policy statement will support manufacturers and operators to establish Advanced Air Mobility services in Australia.

Electrifying aviation: Energy storage, battery and hydrogen developments

Dr Ruth Knibbe, Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland (UQ)

Vehicle electrification has swept through the automobile market, but how feasible is it to electrify aircraft? This presentation looked at how fuel cells and battery systems might make this possible, as well as other opportunities and barriers surrounding aircraft electrification.

Smart Airports ready for Sustainable Aviation

Paul Perera, Co-Founder, PXL-ICE

We have seen the growing desire to accommodate Sustainable Aviation in Airports, and we know that the digitialisation of Airports is amongst the ways we can consider the Smart Architecture for the network of infrastructure from waste management, monitoring of traffic, scheduling of more sustainable fuels – Hydrogen and SAF. This presentation aims to visualise the use of AI and a Control Tower to build a more sustainable hub around an Airport for the future.

Session 4 - Aircraft of Tomorrow

23 September, 3pm – 4.15pm, AEST

This webinar explored international aircraft and airline advancements, including electric, hydrogen and hybrid systems.

Heart Aerospace and the world’s first 19 seat all-electric regional airliner

Dr Lauren Burns, Chief of Strategic Partnerships, Heart Aerospace

This presentation provided an overview of Heart Aerospace and the technical feasibility, market desirability and commercial viability of the ES-19 - an all-electric 19-seat airliner.

World’s First Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Cell Aircraft

Liam Megill, Co-founder of AeroDelft

AeroDelft is a student team at the TU Delft in the Netherlands working on Project Phoenix, the world’s first liquid hydrogen fuel cell aircraft. A 1:3 scale prototype is set to fly later in 2021, followed by a 2-seater aircraft in 2023. The aim of the project is to prove and promote the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel to reduce the aviation industry’s impact on the environment.

Making Aviation Sustainable: A 100-seat Zero-Emission Jet by 2030

Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is a California company developing the World's first practical zero emission aviation powertrain. In his presentation, Val covers ZeroAvia’s breakthrough hydrogen-electric technology and the impact this will have on the aviation industry, and when we can expect to see large-scale, decarbonised commercial jets in our skies.

Watch the live webinar replay

Session 5 - Transforming our Airports

30 Sept, 3pm – 4.15pm, AEST

This webinar explored airport innovation and advancements towards sustainability and zero net emissions.

On the road to net zero: insights from Asia-Pacific and Europe

Marina Bylinsky, Head of Sustainability, ACI Europe and Ken Lau, Senior Manager, ACI Asia-Pacific

The presentation addressed the latest developments around the progress of airports towards net zero in Asia-Pacific and Europe, including commitments, relevant projects and achievements. It also outlined challenges and initiatives taken by ACI to support airports in their decarbonisation efforts.

Sustainable investments and innovations as licence to operate for airports

Raechel Paris, Executive General Manager Governance, Brisbane Airport Corporation and Denise Pronk, Head of Sustainability, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

Royal Schiphol Group wants to run the world’s most sustainable airports in 2050 so that we can continue to fly and discover the world, but in a responsible and sustainable way, a way in which we do not put extra pressure on the planet, but add value to it instead.  Schiphol has been making the airport more sustainable for many years. Hear about their sustainability achievements to date and their plans for the future.  As a key asset within the Royal Schiphol Group's international portfolio, Brisbane Airport is excited to share its sustainability journey here in Australia and where it plans to focus its sustainable growth initiatives.

Meet the 2021 Presenters

Dr Emma Whittlesea

Dr Emma Whittlesea is the Executive Director for Griffith’s Climate Ready Initiative and is transforming to a new role of Head of Partnerships for Stralis Aircraft. She has over 25 years’ experience working with communities and public, private, and not-for-profit sectors within the UK, Europe, and Australia to advance sustainability. Her professional focus is to enable climate action through effective partnerships and collaborative projects, with a particular interest in the advancement of zero emission travel.

Professor Tim Ryley

Tim Ryley is Professor of Aviation, within the School of Engineering and Built Environment at Griffith University. With over twenty-five years of transport research experience, his current research includes environmental issues associated with aviation, such as the relationship between aviation and climate change. Tim’s research is typically inter-disciplinary and industry-linked; he has developed research and consultancy collaborations with many aviation industry stakeholders, including airport, airlines and Government bodies.

Andrew Murphy, Aviation Director, Transport & Environment

Andrew joined T&E in 2014 having previously worked for the Green European Foundation and at the European Commission's transport directorate. Andrew is Irish, with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and law and a bachelor of law from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Since 2021, he is a member of Ireland’s Climate Change Advisory Council.

Ken Conway, Head of Sustainable Aviation, Airbiz

Ken leads the Sustainable Aviation business for Airbiz, a boutique international aviation consultancy, from Sydney. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Ken has helped airports across five continents strengthen their sustainability/ESG credentials, bringing ideas to reality through evidence-based planning, performance-driven strategies, influencing regulators/C-suites and responding to the public’s changing perceptions to air transport.

Airports worldwide enlist Ken’s help to shape strategies that support cleaner, quieter and smarter operations. For Airports Council International (ACI-World), Ken led the recent completion of an 18-month long study by Airbiz/ICF recommending a Global Long-Term Carbon Goal for Airports and sectoral decarbonisation roadmap.

Fredrik Kämpfe, Director Industry Affairs, Swedish Aviation Industry Group

Fredrik worked for the Swedish CAA, worked for EASA for 14 years, and in 2018 took the position of Director Industry Affairs for the Swedish Aviation Industry Group which forms part of the Swedish Confederation of Transport Enterprises. Fredrik has a technical background in mechanical engineering and graduated with a Master of Laws from Uppsala University and has a second master’s degree in International Air and Space Law from University of Leiden. Fredrik is a private pilot with over 400 flight hours as pilot in command and has worked several years at Stockholm Arlanda Airport for a ground handling company.

Dr Michelle Carter, Head of Transport, KTN

Michelle is Head of Transport at KTN, the UK’s innovation network. Michelle oversees KTN’s Transport activities including rail, maritime, automated vehicles, zero emission vehicles, aviation, Mobility as a Service plus the systems and services associated to delivering them. Working with strategic partners and innovators, KTN’s Transport Team support the national agenda to decarbonise transport and create more efficiencies in the way we move people and goods. The team help innovative businesses access R&D funding and find expertise, services or technology to deliver transformative mobility solutions. Michelle oversees the secretariat for the Jet Zero Council Sustainable Aviation Fuel Delivery Group.

Rhyan Wardman, Board Chair & Director, Sounds Air

Rhyan invested in Sounds Air in 2009, becoming a Director in 2013 and appointed Board Chairman in November 2019. His career has spanned various industries and roles, ranging from founding start-ups to holding executive positions in multi-national companies. Rhyan was a Wine Marlborough Director from 2014, concluding his tenure as Board Chairman in 2017. He is a Board Director for Wellington-based tech start-up, Marama Labs, and recently co-founded The Coterie and acquired the iconic Seresin Estate Winery in Marlborough. Rhyan is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Hugh Ross, Assistant Director, National Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy, Australian Government

Hugh Ross is an Assistant Director in the National Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy section of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and is responsible for drone and Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure and regulation. Hugh has a background in strategic policy and program development across the education, employment and infrastructure portfolios.

Dr Ruth Knibbe, Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland (UQ)

Dr Ruth Knibbe is a Materials Engineer with a particular interest in materials for electrochemical energy generation and storage systems. Ruth has researched and developed fuel cell, electrolysis and battery materials with various end use applications. After working at the Danish Technical University and Victoria University of Wellington, Ruth joined the University of Queensland in the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering in 2016. Since joining UQ Ruth set up a research group developing novel battery systems with a current focus on solid state batteries.

Paul Perera, CTO and Co-Founder PXL-ICE

Paul has been in business for 34 years, covering roles as diverse as Programme Manager, Strategy and Planning Director, General Manager, Strategy & Future Programmes Director, VP for Technology and Innovation, Operations Director across Military Technology, and Aerospace industries as well as the founder of 3 start-ups, and Non-Executive Director. Paul is currently completing a Global MBA whilst setting up 3 companies including PXL-ICE, which is building on innovation leveraged from Manufacturing collaboration and digital twins for discrete event modelling.

Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO, ZeroAvia

Val Miftakhov is a Founder & CEO of ZeroAvia, Inc, a California company developing the World's first practical zero emission aviation powertrain. Val is a serial entrepreneur in EV space - his previous company eMotorWerks has developed the World’s leading platform for EV battery aggregation to provide grid services, and was acquired in 2017. Prior to that, Val held a number of senior business and product positions at Google and McKinsey & Company, and was a nuclear researcher at Stanford Linear Accelerator. Val holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University, Masters in Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and was a two-time winner of Russian Nationwide Physics competitions. In his spare time, Val makes good use of his airplane and helicopter pilot licenses.

Dr Lauren Burns, Chief of Strategic Partnerships, Heart Aerospace

Dr Lauren Burns has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University. Her early career focused on lightweight design of carbon fibre structures at Boeing Research & Technology – Australia where she was lead author on 2 patents. Since 2018 she has worked on the design of electric aircraft: at Seattle-based start-up Zunum Aero on the ZA10 hybrid electric aircraft, and currently for Swedish-based Heart Aerospace which is commercialising the world’s first 19 seat all-electric regional airliner.

Liam Megill, Co-founder of AeroDelft

Liam is co-founder of AeroDelft and an MSc aerospace engineering student at the TU Delft. His work focuses on sustainable aircraft design and aviation climate policy. He is also a flight instructor in Germany.

Marina Bylinsky, Head of Sustainability, ACI EUROPE

Marina Bylinsky joined ACI EUROPE in September 2015 and is responsible for the coordination of all aspects of the association’s sustainability strategy. In this regard, she represents ACI EUROPE in various high-level European and global fora. She also monitors the administration and ongoing evolution of the global carbon management standard, Airport Carbon Accreditation which belongs to ACI EUROPE. Marina was leading the development of ACI EUROPE’s Sustainability Strategy for Airports and the airport industry’s contribution to the Destination 2050 initiative.

Ken Lau, Senior Manager, Environment and Airport Information Technology, ACI Asia-Pacific

Ken has been with ACI Asia-Pacific since January 2012. He is responsible for the coordination of Environment and IT and promotes cooperation amongst airports in the Asia-Pacific region. He is the secretariat of ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Environment Committee and the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Airport Information Technology Liaison Group He is also the Manager of Airport Carbon Accreditation in the Asia-Pacific region covering airport members from the Middle East, Mongolia to Australia and New Zealand. Ken’s background includes chemical engineering, environmental plant management; construction project, certified environmental officer and was responsible to maintain good safety, health and environment of environmental treatment plants.

Denise Pronk, Head of Sustainability, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

Denise Pronk is an acclaimed Sustainability Manager, who is working around the clock with a vision that sustainability is an integral part of the business. She is based in the strategy department, working on embedding sustainability in the organisation activities and way of working. Next to transferring the airport to a sustainable one, contributing to a net-zero-carbon emission aviation sector by 2050 is one of her main focus areas. Denise is an active member at ACI Europe and ACI World.

Raechel Paris, Executive General Manager Governance, Brisbane Airport Corporation

Raechel Paris is the Executive General Manager Governance at Brisbane Airport. Raechel drives the sustainability strategy for BAC in fulfilling its vision to “Connect the World – Create the Future” and ensuring BAC continues its focus on delivering sustainable value to its 4 Bosses – the Community, its Employees, its Shareholders and its Customers.

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