Sustainable aviation: Strategic partnership between TU Delft and Braunschweig

Sustainable aviation: Strategic partnership between TU Delft and Braunschweig

On April 25, 2025, Lower Saxony's Science Minister Falko Mohrs visited the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft. During this important visit, Dean Henri Werij and Professor Peter Hecker, Vice President for Research at TU Braunschweig, signed an agreement to renew their partnership. This collaboration focuses on large innovation programs and research on sustainable aviation.

The partnership between TU Delft and TU Braunschweig, which has existed since February 7, 2020, is defined by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a period of ten years. The development in cooperation is characterized by positive results in joint projects on sustainable aviation. In addition, this international cooperation brings strategic advantages for both institutions.

Research and innovation

As part of the agreement, the universities have decided to examine the possibilities for expanding into sustainable and multimodal transport. The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft is the largest of its kind in Europe. In the mobility research area, TU Braunschweig focuses on technologies for sustainable mobility in various modes of transport, including rail, road and air.

Research at TU Braunschweig covers, among other things, intelligent vehicles, connected driving and digital infrastructure. In the field of aviation research, the focus is on reducing emissions and noise pollution as well as the recyclability of air transport systems.

The path to climate neutrality

Aviation accounts for a significant share of global CO2 emissions, accounting for approximately 3.01% of global energy-related emissions. Airports in Germany are therefore aiming for emission-free solutions by 2045. The airports are developing individual strategies to reduce CO2, with ADV airports already achieving a 29.1% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2010 to 2019.

Measures to reduce CO2 emissions include improving the insulation and energy efficiency of buildings and switching to green energy sources. Airports continue to invest in hybrid, electric or gas-powered service vehicles and promote the use of public transport to the airport. A 4-point plan includes the following points:

• Maßnahmen zur Reduzierung des CO2-Ausstoßes
• Optimierung der Klima-, Heizungs- und Belüftungstechnik
• Nutzung erneuerbarer Energien
• Sanierung und Neubau von Gebäuden nach hohen Energiestandards

International cooperation for sustainable aviation

Intensive research is being carried out worldwide into the climate neutrality of aviation. At the international aviation conference ICAS 2022 in Stockholm, DLR unveiled innovative approaches to climate-neutral aircraft design and sustainable fuels. The discussion focused on new aircraft configurations and alternative propulsion concepts, with the use of green hydrogen and sustainably produced kerosene (SAF) being key topics.

DLR is a founding member of the International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR), which represents around 35,000 scientists from 26 aviation research institutions. As part of this cooperation, we have also been working with the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO since 2020. The aviation industry's challenges with regard to climate neutrality and sustainable mobility are addressed through this internationally practiced research partnership.