SE²A

SE²A addresses the fundamental scientific and technological challenges associated with the transformation of aviation into a sustainable, energy-efficient, and low-emission system. The motivation stems from the need to consider future aircraft, propulsion, and energy systems not in isolation, but in the overall context of a complex, global aviation system. This includes investigating boundary conditions such as energy infrastructure, the availability of alternative fuels, the aerodynamic and structural potential of new aircraft configurations, and economic and social influencing factors. The aim of the cluster is to develop sound scientific foundations, assessment methods and technological approaches that enable long-term CO₂-neutral and noise-reduced aviation.

This includes the analysis and modeling of future scenarios, the identification of interdisciplinary research needs, and the derivation of validated criteria for sustainable aircraft, propulsion, and energy systems. New technologies are systematically investigated, scaled, and validated using experimental infrastructure, including wind tunnels, test benches, simulation tools, and a research aircraft. The results form the basis for the further development of innovative energy sources, the integration of hydrogen, battery, or hybrid propulsion concepts, and new approaches to air traffic management.

The Project analyzes optimal air and energy management strategies for the efficient integration of fuel cell systems into future low-emission passenger aircraft.

The Project is researching innovative approaches to recovering unused energy in future aircraft systems and is developing new, highly integrated turbomachinery and ORC technologies for more efficient, sustainable aviation.

The project is being managed by the Technical University of Braunschweig.