Green Solar Airship
Date :
2015
Client :Private
Project :Jean Marc Schivo & Lucilla Revelli
Technical Partner :Transports Passion (Gérard Feldzer)
Scientific Partner :Estaca, École d’Ingénieurs
Consortium for Realization :Flying Whales
A solar energy-powered airship
The engine of this airship is designed to use energy produced by photovoltaic surfaces and allows complete autonomy and a full range of flight on distances almost limitless. The storage batteries are in fact used only during take-off and landing.
The airport is designed to cooperate with the PV system of the airship and the battery energy storage, minimizing waiting time.
Lightweight materials and innovations such as aluminum, carbon fiber and composite materials, the result of the aerospace research, will optimize shape and firmness of flight of the airship enhancing its stability, as tested by a study of Estaca university team.
The airship is 160 m long and has an average cruise speed at full load will be 90 km/h, with peaks up to 180 km/h, with the possibility to travel to altitudes varying between 500 and 2500 m and to be able to land anywhere you want.
Dubai EXPO 2020 Connecting Minds – Energy – Opportunity
The Dubai World Expo 2020 provides an excellent opportunity to introduce this new way of traveling and communicating with zero impact.
The aerospace technology, the safety of helium – non-flammable inert gas –, the use of renewable energy and electric engines, the ease of travel at low altitudes at any site without interfering with airlines, make this new way of travelling a great advertising opportunity, as well as a cultural and economic one.
The future of flight can certainly use this new and safe technology that allows to develop solid business interests in underused areas.
Silence, absence of pollution, great maneuverability, possibility to stop in flight for the desired time, allow this innovative transportation to fly over and connect areas hitherto not easily accessible due to lack of airport infrastructure, not only in the UAE, but all over the world.
Specific historical and/or natural areas, such as deserts, islands, forests, urban areas and town centers will be flown over in the absence of both atmospheric and acoustic pollution.
The project is designed to create a system adaptable to different market demands, still maximizing investment and profitability.
In this phase two synergistic solutions have been developed to convey the different research towards a single final optimized solution.
The solar airship is composed by 4 levels:
1° level dedicated to 8 helium tanks, independent from each other and hermetically sealed;
2° level dedicated to technical support: storage batteries for engines and other materials;
3° level multipurpose airship for client activities. Allows to take advantage of 1000 m2 adaptable to various needs;
4° level dedicated to crew and pilot & control systems of about 400 m2.
Its adaptability allows the airship to cover a wide range of applications: scientific research for land monitoring, military, tourism – hotel, regional or heavy loads transportation, assistance.
Furthermore, the maneuverability of the electric engines lets the vehicle perform complex maneuvers with the maximum safety.
Interior designs
In this first phase of the design three types of interiors have been developed:
Model for Expo 2020
It is a model designed for meetings, high level reserved events, workshops, conferences etc.
Space is divided into two sectors. Central Access provides entry to the airship bow, where there are meeting rooms, lounges, a bar and a Visionarium area with 40 seats, while in the airship stern there is a large hall for 40 seats. This space, with circular screens to allow an overview and monitoring of the Expo, is devoted to meetings and special events, and connected to a network for any usage.
Some areas of the outer shell of the airship are designed to broadcast advertising, images and sounds.
Model for regional transport
The organization of the airship front provides accommodation for 40 passengers, while the back side is designed to accommodate about 80 passengers and has a garden, a bar and all the equipment typical of first-class seating. Colours and materials are specially designed according to the construction companies’ specifications.
Model for hotel
This arrangement provides an outstanding high luxury hotel with superior materials and design.
The front will be studied in every detail in order to give life to a refined and comfortable area, centered in the main restaurant and internal garden. High valuable salons on the sides ensure conviviality and a unique view outside, especially at night. 19 rooms and a large suite, accommodating up to 40 passengers, are placed on the rear side. In addition, a garden, full of wood and water veils, and a number of other salons generate a unique atmosphere between Heaven and earth.