Germany-based turboprop aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft and the North Energy Cluster (NEC) of northern Norway have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) stating their common goal of developing solutions that will accelerate the availability of climate-neutral aviation technologies. They aim to achieve substantial short-term reductions of northern Norway's aviation climate footprint through low carbon e-fuels, as well as solutions for zero climate impact in the mid-term.

Deutsche Aircraft is developing 100 per cent e-fuel-compatible aircraft. Its below-50 seat, low-emission regional aircraft is based on the Dornier Do328 platform. It is also studying alternative propulsion technologies based on hydrogen for future programmes.

CTO Martin Nuesseler says: "A significant factor for the environmental performance of the next generation of aircraft is how fuels are produced. Our ambition at Deutsche Aircraft is therefore to consider aircraft operation in conjunction with fuel production to achieve an optimal result for the environment. The challenge for e-fuels is the energy-intensive production process, which means that you need to go where you can find abundant renewable energy. Regional aviation contributes on a daily basis to the economic functioning of northern Norway and provides enormous societal benefits. We want to show that you can achieve this without inflicting harm on our environment. Combining the modern turboprop D328eco efficiency with a 100 per cent SAF capability represents the best way to update the market with a green aircraft in the shortest time possible."

The NEC disposes of abundant, low cost renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure to ramp up production of low-carbon e-fuels. The NEC/Energi i Nord is comprised of industrial players such as major wind and hydropower producers, technology suppliers and electrochemical companies as well as the aviation sector and local communities that are determined to take the lead in the energy transition.

Aviation is an essential infrastructure for the vast and secluded territory of northern Norway. Its network of 26 regional airports is critical infrastructure, more so than anywhere else in Europe. Coupled with northern Norway's excess of low cost, renewable energy, vital for e-fuel production, it makes for the ideal testing ground for new concepts within climate-neutral aviation.

The initiative intends to produce e-fuels using industrial CO2 point sources as a first step, which will later be substituted by direct air capture powered by the abundant renewable energy to minimise lifecycle emissions.

By conducting test flights and studying ground infrastructure requirements for the production of e-fuels, the partnership will pave the way towards northern Norway becoming a leader nationally and internally in the enormous transformation aviation is facing. The cluster will also collaborate with the Lofoten project 'The green islands', an ambitious roadmap to bring sustainable tourism to one of the most scenic and untouched regions of Norway. In this context, short haul routes on the Lofoten archipelago will be among the first to be operated with alternative fuels.

NEC cluster manager Anders Tørud adds: “E-fuels and hydrogen produced from renewable energies remain the most promising scalable solutions to significantly reduce emissions in one of the most hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation. What is key to making it happen is to bring down production costs through scale, and we have the right ecosystem in northern Norway to do so.”

Alongside this, Deutsche has obtained three certifications that confirm its commitment to high standards of quality management and environmental management standards: EN 9100:2018 (former AS 9100D), including EN ISO 9001:2015, plus EN ISO 14001:2015 that covers design, production, maintenance and completion of the Dornier 328 series aircraft, including worldwide customer support and supply chain as well as management for operators.

The EN ISO certificates demonstrate the company’s commitment to continuously improving its quality performance while reducing the environmental footprint of its operations and services, as well as taking concrete action to combat climate change.

Deutsche goes one step further by placing rigorous attention upon selection of suppliers and partners and is aiming to develop processes that are driven more by sustainability, with higher efficiency and cost savings.

MD Dave Jackson says: “This is a reward for the team, confirming the outstanding work we have put into our internal processes to meet global standards and better support the ongoing development of the D328eco. Our mission to use the D328eco to drive aviation's transition to more sustainable flights goes hand in hand with consequent health protection and occupational safety.”