Sustainable aviation

The global aviation industry is under increased pressure to meet the net-zero greenhouse gas emission targets that Canada and other jurisdictions have set. However, aviation is universally acknowledged as the hardest transportation sector to decarbonize. 

Our expertise

To support Canada's industry in achieving this ambitious target, the Aerospace Research Centre at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is using its unique R&D capabilities to support the aviation sector's transition to net-zero and scale up Canada's response to climate change. Through its Low-emission Aviation program, the Aerospace Research Centre is developing transformative technologies in the field of sustainable aviation and support the industry in the technology maturation of green technologies.

This program focuses on revolutionary technologies in the following 4 pillars for R&D and innovation with our strategic partners:

• Novel aircraft configurations
• Electrical propulsion systems
• Clean fuel technologies
• Batteries for airborne applications

Cross-cutting themes for the 4 pillars are:

• Advancing technology demonstrators
• Safety and certification
• Modelling and simulation tools
• Novel materials and manufacturing processes and techniques that are enablers of zero emission technologies

Programs

Discover other NRC programs that support Canada’s sustainable aviation goals:

Facilities and labs

Learn more about the NRC's facilities and labs that can help you develop, test and validate your sustainable aviation technologies:

• Advanced manufacturing research facility
• Battery performance and safety evaluation research facility
• Boundary Layer Ingestion rig
• Combustion and spray test research facilities
• Hybrid Electric Aircraft Testbed (HEAT)
• Hybrid-Electric Research Outfit (HERO)
• Research aircraft
• Research altitude test facility
• Wind tunnels
  • 0.9-metre wind tunnel
  • 1.5-metre transonic wind tunnel
  • 2-metre x 3-metre wind tunnel
  • 3-metre x 6-metre icing wind tunnel
  • 9-metre wind tunnel

Success stories

Learn more about our significant milestones and accomplishments in the field of sustainable aviation:

• Aerodynamic analysis of a high-speed test rig for use in engine test facilities (PDF, 2.58mb conference paper)
• Battling the headwinds of climate change with electric aviation
• The National Research Council of Canada investigates aircraft contrails from sustainable aviation fuels
• NRC flies the world's first civil jet powered by 100 percent biofuel

Why work with us

Our specialized advisory services range from testing and certification to calibration, prototyping, demonstrations, scale-up and consulting. With our experts and facilities dedicated to aerospace technologies, we can work with you to advance your new green technologies:

• Collaborative R&D: In a joint effort, our research expertise can help you advance your R&D projects
• Technical services: Our technical expertise can help you test and mature your technology and take it to the next level