Digitalization of the Transportation Sector: An enabler for the low-carbon transition
The global shift towards clean energy is reshaping industries, particularly in the aviation and automotive sectors. Reducing carbon emissions is critical to combat climate change, and the integration of low-carbon energy solutions is key to driving sustainability in product development, manufacturing and usage.
Alternative for Transport: Deep-dive into Low-Carbon Energy Systems
Electrification: A Key Strategy for Low-Carbon Mobility
Electrification is a key low-carbon strategy that enables industries to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while optimizing energy efficiency. By transitioning from fossil fuel-powered systems to electric alternatives, companies can minimize their reliance on non-renewable energy sources and harness the benefits of clean energy. In the automotive sector, for example, electrification involves the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), which can produce between 63% to 69% lower lifecycle emissions than average gasoline cars according to the Internal Council on Clean Transportation (1). Virtual Twin technology allows manufacturers to simulate and optimize the entire lifecycle of EVs—from design to production and usage—helping to improve energy efficiency and streamline operations. Beyond transportation, electrification can also be applied to manufacturing processes, where integrating renewable energy sources into production lines reduces overall carbon footprints and promotes sustainable practices across industries.
Evolectric Circularev
Evolectric deployed the Accelerated Device industry solution experience to access the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud's full suite of capabilities, from CAD and PLM to project management.
Beyond Aero
Creating the world’s first electric business aircraft designed for hydrogen propulsion, Beyond Aero built a new architecture to optimize the integration of the hydrogen tanks and fuel cell systems using the Reinvent the Sky industry solution experience.
Low-Carbon Aviation: Transitioning to Clean Energy
The aviation sector is responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, making the adoption of clean energy solutions vital for its decarbonization. Aviation manufacturers are already innovating and developing a more sustainable aircraft through the integration of low-carbon technologies. If some companies are implementing solutions such as electric propulsion or sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), some are already investigating the potential of hydrogen as a transformative fuel for the aviation industry. Using virtual twin technology, aviation manufacturers can simulate and optimize energy-efficient designs and operations. This technology allows companies to explore innovative energy systems that reduce fuel consumption and emissions, paving the way for a more sustainable future in air travel.
Alternative Fuels and Clean Energy: Driving the Marine Industry Towards Net Zero
Alternative fuels and clean energy are key to helping the marine industry meet its net-zero goals. Solutions like hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels offer viable pathways to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. These fuels, combined with renewable energy technologies, can replace traditional fossil fuels in marine propulsion systems. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform plays a crucial role by enabling marine industries to design, simulate, and optimize vessels powered by these alternative fuels, ensuring safer, greener, and more efficient operations. By fostering collaboration among ports, fuel suppliers, and shipbuilders through green corridors and advanced digital solutions, the industry can accelerate its transition to sustainable shipping.
Empowering Transformation through Digitalization
Clean energy is the cornerstone of decarbonization for the transportation sector aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. Dassault Systèmes provides the digital innovation needed to integrate low-carbon energy into product development across sectors. Whether optimizing aircraft efficiency or advancing electric vehicle production, our virtual twin technology enables companies to lead the clean energy revolution while driving sustainability.
Source:
1.A global comparison of the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of combustion engine and electric passenger cars, 2021, The International Council on Clean Transportation
FAQ on Low-Carbon Solutions for the Transportation Sector
Low-carbon transportation is crucial in the fight against climate change, as it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and mitigate global warming. However, as stated by the International Energy Agency, the transportation sector remains dependent on internal combustion engines that generally run on fossil fuels and accounts for more than a third of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors.
By transitioning to more sustainable fuel sources and electric mobility, industries can significantly decrease their environmental impact while also meeting evolving regulations and consumer expectations. This shift also supports long-term profitability by lowering operational costs, attracting environmentally conscious customers, and enhancing corporate responsibility.
Low-carbon fuels for transportation are essential to achieving sustainability goals, with several options leading the charge:
- Electrification: Electrifying transport involves using battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs), which eliminate direct tailpipe emissions and can significantly reduce overall carbon emissions especially when charged with renewable energy sources. The shift to electrification is most prominent in personal vehicles, buses, and urban transport, with advancements being made to extend this to trucks and other heavy-duty transport.
- Biofuels: These include fuels like biodiesel and ethanol, derived from renewable biological sources such as plant materials and agricultural waste. Biofuels can be used in existing combustion engines, making them an effective way to lower emissions in traditional vehicles.
- Green Hydrogen: Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water using renewable energy (like solar or wind), is a clean and versatile fuel. It can power fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and other forms of transport, offering a zero-emission alternative for sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as airplanes, marine and heavy-duty transport
Zero-carbon fuels for shipping are key to reducing emissions in the maritime industry, which is under pressure to meet sustainability targets. Various fuels and technologies are being explored, including:
- Hydrogen: Another promising fuel, hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to power ships, emitting only water as a byproduct. Challenges include storage and transport, but hydrogen is gaining traction as the technology evolves.
- Nuclear Energy: Small modular reactors (SMRs) could potentially power large commercial ships, offering a carbon-free solution for long routes. Though safety and regulatory hurdles remain, initiatives like green shipping corridors are helping explore the feasibility of nuclear propulsion for maritime transportation.
These efforts are supported by the development of green corridors, specialized shipping routes between ports committed to zero-emission solutions. These corridors are crucial in fostering infrastructure that supports zero-carbon fuel usage, such as bunkering facilities for ammonia and hydrogen.
We can also mention ammonia. An emerging zero-carbon fuel for shipping, as it produces no CO₂ during combustion and can be made with renewable energy, with investments underway in ammonia-compatible engines and infrastructure.
The EU low-carbon policy for the transportation sector aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 2021 emissions levels, and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This involves promoting investments in electrification and alternative fuels, enhancing sustainable urban mobility, and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to drive innovation.
The EU also aims to ban the sale of new fossil-fuel cars from 2035 and has regulations in place to cover 100% of emissions from shipping from 2027 onwards.
The National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, released in 2023 by the US, is a comprehensive plan to support the federal government's goals of transitioning the transportation sector to clean energy by 2050. The blueprint was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It builds upon the previous Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA):
- The BIL aims to modernize transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and airports, with a focus on green energy.
- The IRA, passed in 2022 aims to ensure the transition to low-carbon and decarbonization technologies within the US. This legislation is expected to drive demand for critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are essential for clean energy technologies like batteries and electric vehicles.
The National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization highlights the importance of technology advancements and innovation in the transportation sector and emphasizes the importance of sustainable critical mineral value chains to meet climate change and clean energy imperatives and reach the US's decarbonization goals by 2050.