Euro Airship
SolarAirship electric demonstrator

Setting the Scene

After 13 years of research, including patented innovations and engineering work by Capgemini Engineering, the EURO AIRSHIP team is set to start industrializing an environmentally friendly rigid airship.

To promote this globally, EURO AIRSHIP is developing a 100% electric demonstrator, representing the future of decarbonized rigid airships. This innovative airship will find its utility in various applications, including tourism, surveillance, cargo transportation, and humanitarian aid.

Nonetheless,  the airship is not designed to supplant traditional aviation due to its limited passenger capacity, different speed characteristics, and misalignment with EURO AIRSHIP's primary objectives. 

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Keys elements 

+2060 tCO2
Emissions
GHG equivalent

0,027 kgCO2e
Per passenger-kilometer

5,000 m2
Of solars films to cover the envelope


EURO AIRSHIP Carbon Footprint Measurement

Initially, ClimateSeed conducted a carbon footprint study across the entire lifecycle of the solar demonstrator.

On graph 1, the production of the prototype accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This covers the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to airship assembly, including transportation and energy needs at each stage. Aircraft maintenance, especially photovoltaic module replacements, has a significant impact, while the end-of-life phase has a smaller carbon footprint.

graph 1

Graph 2 shows that photovoltaic module production is Euro Airship's main greenhouse gas source, contributing to nearly 60% of the solar airship's footprint over a 10-year lifespan with one replacement. It is important to emphasize that the 2060 tCO2e estimate is a preliminary calculation based on current data, which may evolve as design improvements are made.

Graph2

To go further, ClimateSeed and EURO AIRSHIP could:

- Improve data collection and reduce environmental impact assessment estimates.
- Emphasize eco-design and make decisions based on environmental studies.
- Broaden their focus beyond carbon by conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), a method to quantify environmental impacts for eco-design, in order to explore other impact categories. 

Other perspectives include conducting studies for other airship models, or even assess the carbon footprint of the world tour event.

 


Comparing GHG Emissions across transportation modes

To better understand the carbon impact of the airship, comparisons are often made. To make the comparison meaningful, we'll compare it to other means of transport. However, it is essential to remind the airship has not the same exact purpose as other means of transportation. Therefore, the comparison is limited and given for information purposes only.

To compare, we need to relate the impact to a given utility. The airship's total footprint can be reduced to an intensity per passenger and per kilometer traveled, based on assumptions about airship usage (occupancy rate and distance traveled per trip)*.

Solar Airship One: 0,027 kgCO2e / passenger.km

*The calculation of total passenger-kilometers is based on the following hypothesis: 

  • Airship capacity: 46 passengers
  • Occupancy rate: 80%
  • Travel time: 1 hour
  • Travel time along the route (excluding takeoff and landing): 70%
  • Travel speed: 60 km/h

The data depicted in this graph was gathered from the Emission Factor Source: Datagir

Note that this graph only provides a rough estimate, as many factors can influence GHG emissions for a same mode of transportation. For instance, emission factors associated with aviation can vary by a factor of around 1 to 7 (from 0.130 kgCO2e/pax-km for a short-haul economy without radiative forcing to 0.899 kgCO2e/pax-km for a long-haul first class with radiative forcing, source: DEFRA, 2023) depending on the class considered, the distance flown and whether radiative forcing (condensation trails at high altitudes) is taken into account.

Transportation

 


Our Methodology

Carbon accounting categorizes GHG emissions resulting from human activities according to defined boundaries, taking into account time, organization, and function.

The GHG Protocol and the BEGES are widely used for this purpose, primarily for emissions related to organizations, but also for GHG assessments related to events.

ClimateSeed has built its framework using these methodologies as a reference. By adhering to their principles regarding scope, calculations, and categorizations, while considering event-specific data and reporting requirements.

Methodologie V4

 

Solar Airship One Specifics

151
Meters Length

30,000 m3
Helium expansion volume

5,000 m2
Of solar films to cover the envelope

Solar Airship's Environmental Benefits

No reliance on fossil fuels
Minimal ground infrastructure required
Silent Flight
Solar Airship ONE l'ÉPOPÉE

Solar Airship One's Ambition

Drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of Solar Impulse's inaugural project, Solar Airship One wants to take on an extraordinary challenge: the first non-stop, fuel-free airhship flight around the world. It aims to promote a new decarbonized air mobility for the future.

Worldmap Solar Airship ambition

The client's testimonial

"EURO AIRSHIP is thrilled to soar hand in hand with ClimateSeed, our trusted partner in charting a greener course through GHG assessment. Together, we navigate the winds of change towards a cleaner, brighter future."
JeanLescat
Jean Lescat
President & Co-founder

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