Low-emission Aviation program

To reduce its climate impact, the aviation industry requires clean technologies and tools to limit greenhouse gas emissions. As the pressure on the industry to take action increases, disruptive technologies for low‑emission aircraft such as novel aircraft configurations, clean fuels, and electrification need to be developed. 

The National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Low‑emission Aviation program will transform the Canadian aviation sector's decarbonization transition by developing fast, sustainable solutions, while also de-risking potential high risk / high reward technologies. This also involves supporting a collaborative ecosystems that will stimulate the aviation industry's green transition and providing science-based evidence to other government departments for developing green technology policies and regulations.

Research areas

Future platforms and performance assessment works towards more energy efficient aircraft and evaluating the performance of new technologies and their potential climate impact.

Electric propulsion systems moves towards all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsion for aircraft, including improved safety and reliability of these new technologies. 

Clean fuel technologies look at clean fuel alternatives for aviation, including sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen.

Batteries in aviation explore making batteries safe for aviation propulsion and optimizing them to provide the energy density requirements for aircraft applications.

Collaborate with us  

Collaborate with us on strategic R&D projects to limit aviation’s impact on the environment and to help de‑risk technologies such as electrification, clean fuels and novel aircraft configurations to safely implement them into commercial operation.

Collaborator benefits

The NRC is a major global player in aviation, with a strong supply chain ranging from aircraft and engine OEMs to major international airlines. The NRC will help your organization access unique expertise in low‑emission aviation and state‑of‑the‑art research facilities. We also provide a unique multi‑disciplinary approach to advance technologies on many other fronts such as materials, manufacturing, aerodynamics, novel propulsion system, sensor developments, battery technologies, digitization, artificial intelligence, certification and testing.

Our experts can help in many areas to meet emerging industry needs, such as:

• advanced aerial mobility
• digital twins
• artificial intelligence
• additive/subtractive manufacturing
• novel configurations
• aerodynamics
• propulsion systems
• hydrogen power (combustion and fuel cells)
• battery and fuel cell development
• sensor development
• testing and certification