The project "Sustainability Modeling and Analysis of Future Aircraft Systems" (SUMAFly) is part of the Cluster of Excellence "Sustainable and Energy Efficient Aviation" (SE²A) funded by the DFG. As an interdisciplinary research center of the Technical University of Braunschweig, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Leibniz University of Hannover, and the Braunschweig University of Fine Arts (HBK), the goal of SE²A is to research novel technologies for a more sustainable aviation.
SUMAFly focuses on the development and application of life cycle engineering methodologies for the life cycle-oriented sustainability assessment of future aircraft systems. In particular, the energy carrier, storage, and supply systems used in novel propulsion concepts, such as lithium-ion batteries or fuel cells, are considered.
The objective of the project is the development of methods for life cycle-oriented sustainability assessment of alternative aircraft systems. To this end, the material, energy and capital flows of innovative energy storage and supply systems as well as alternative fuels are modelled systematically in all stages of the life cycle.
SUMAFly seeks to lay the foundations for a holistic assessment of ecological, economic and social sustainability in accordance with the "triple bottom line" concept and thus supporting decisions regarding the design of future aircraft in early stages of the development process.
The IWF focuses the environmental aspects of sustainability. In cooperation with the AIP, which focuses the economic and social aspects, a life cycle engineering tool for a multidimensional sustainability assessment is developed.