Overview / summary of the initiative

Title: Solar Impulse

Country: Switzerland

Thematic area: Energy, Transport

Objective(s): • Make the first of the Earth by a piloted fixed-wing aircraft using only solar power • Bring attention to clean technologies Timeline: 2003 - 2020

Scale of the initiative (resource/budget indication): > € 170 million Scope of the initiative • Focused on new knowledge creation (basic research, TRLs 1-4): yes • Focused on knowledge application (applied research, TRLs 5-9): yes Source of funding: Public-private Granularity of the initiative (initiative, policy approach): Initiative Source (webpage): http://www.solarimpulse.com/

Brief description of the initiative: The Solar Impulse project's goals are to make the first circumnavigation of the Earth by a piloted fixed-wing aircraft using only solar power and to bring attention to clean technologies. With three record-breaking solo flights with the long-range experimental solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2 of André Borschberg from to Hawaii and from Hawaii to San Francisco and later New York to the project raised awareness that everybody could use the same technologies on the ground to halve the world’s energy consumption, save natural resources and improve our quality of life. During the successful round-the-world flight in 2016 Piccard announced the creation of a World Alliance for Clean Technologies (later renamed World Alliance for Efficient Solutions). The aim of this non-governmental organisation is to promote green energy and sustainable technologies and have the first prototypes flying in 2019. I: Background, origin, mission and ambition

Ia: Origin The concept of Solar Impulse dates back to 1999, when pilot Bertrand Piccard flew around the globe in a . On his trip with Brian Jones, Piccard became extremely conscious of the amount of fuel needed during the voyage; triggering a desire to ensure his next round-the-world flight was fuel and emissions-free. Ib: Initiator Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg Ic: Mission and ambition The mission of the Solar Impulse project is to make the first circumnavigation of the Earth by a piloted fixed-wing aircraft using only solar power and to bring attention to clean technologies. The ambition is to contribute in the world of exploration and innovation to the cause of renewable energies by pushing back the limits of the impossible. With the project Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg want to write the next pages in the with solar 1 energy and demonstrate the importance of the new technologies in sustainable development. Id: Decision making process Based on the feasibility study carried out in collaboration with the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de (EPFL) Bertrand Piccard’s announced officially his ambition to make the first circumnavigation of the Earth by a piloted fixed-wing aircraft using only solar power and thereby raise awareness for clean technologies. Together with André Borschberg Piccard formulated the mission and ambition of the project and defined the overall milestones.

Milestones presented at the launch of the initiative were: • 2003: Feasibility study at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne • 2004–2005: Development of the concept • 2006: Simulation of long-haul flights • 2006–09: Construction of first prototype (HB-SIA; Solar Impulse 1) 2 • Circumnavigation of the Earth Ie: Linkage to other governance levels The initiative is not linked to other governance levels.

1 https://web.archive.org/web/20110628115307/http://solarimpulse.com/common/documents/vision.php?lang=en&group=vision 2 https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/piccards-sonnentraeume/3648146 If: Geographical scope Global Ig: Time span After the positive findings of the feasibility study Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg announced the launch of their initiative on 28 November 2003 in Lausanne. The first prototype should be ready for testing in June 2006. Due to the many uncertainties Piccard and Borschberg left open when the flight around the world would take place, at that time the non-stop flight around the world was still conceived as a dream. 3 II: Formation IIa: Driving forces Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg: both pioneers and innovators, both pilots, are the driving force behind Solar Impulse. Bertrand Piccard, psychiatrist and aeronaut, who made the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a fighter pilot and a professional and helicopter pilot. IIb: Approach Top down IIc: Citizen involvement Citizen involved in the formation process was limited to make donations. III: Technical and political feasibility IIIa: Technical feasibility assessment Between 2001 and 2003 Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard explored the possibilities of building a solar airplane with available technologies. In collaboration with the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne a feasibility study was carried out. The study was managed by engineer, entrepreneur and fighter pilot, André Borschberg. The study proved 4 the project’s feasibility. IIIb: Ex ante technical and risk assessment See IIIa IIIc: Success factors No detailed information available about the identified success factors with the feasibility study, however during the announcement of the mission in 2003 the following technological challenges / breakthroughs were mentioned: • The new solar aircraft would need to have revolutionary aerodynamics and structure as well as an impressive wing span "such as an Airbus A-340" exhibit. The whole surface (150m2) should be covered with solar cells; • The aircraft is supposed to fly at a height of 10'000 meters - day and night; • With regards to energy generation, transformation and storage new, light, intelligent and multifunctional materials will have to designed; 5 • The interaction between man and machine. IIId: Incentives The has been set up to fund research and development in aeronautical technology using renewable energies and serving the cause of sustainable development. The foundation was placed under the official supervision of the Swiss Confederation and recognised as serving the public interest. The foundation is exempt from paying taxes and therefore confers fiscal advantages for all donations.6 To attract corporates to support the challenge a sponsorship model was put in place. The following categories of partnerships were offered (in order of association and contribution level): main partners, official partners, official supporters, official suppliers, institutional and aeronautics partners and specialised partners. Depending on the category the partners were offered different kind of sponsoring opportunities, varying from company logos on the plane and pilot uniforms, visits to the production site, making use of the site for client meetings, etc.. For citizens, public authorities and non-profit organisations a Supporters program was developed, also including different categories (in order of contribution level): friend, adventurer, innovator, explorer or pioneer. Depending on the size of the donation supporters received news updates, the badge of the year, a on the wings, a visit to the base or VIP meetings with the crew. 7 In addition the Angels program was set up for private individuals that would support the challenge with a significant large donation. The Angels are an integral part of the team, an inner circle of people intimately associated with the project. Angels could become Ambassador or Adviser and got permanent free access giving them the exclusive right to take part in each high point of the adventure.8

3 https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/piccards-sonnentraeume/3648146 4 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820013235/http://www.solarimpulse.com/timeline/view/6652 5 https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/piccards-sonnentraeume/3648146 6 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820100647/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/join-the-challenge/supporters-program/ 7 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820100647/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/join-the-challenge/supporters-program/ 8 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820024243/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/team/angels/ To spread the word about clean technologies Solar Impulse invited known scientists, politicians and personalities (e.g. Al Gore, Buzz Aldrin, Richard Wiese, Paulo Coelho and Prince Albert II de ) to join their initiative and become part of a patronage committee.9 IIIe: Political and societal assessment No concrete information available about assessments made prior to the start of the initiative, however at the announcement of the mission in 2003 Piccard was very well aware that the mission would raise a lot of awareness.10 IIIf: Interim political and societal assessment Solar Impulse is a private initiative. IIIg: Financial risk assessment No concrete information available about assessments made prior to the start of the initiative. IV: Governance: organisation, management and coordination

IVa: Governance The core team of the Solar Impulse is formed by the initiators Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. Piccard is the initiator and chairman and Borschberg is the CEO. The core team is supported by a multi-disciplinary team of 50 mechanical engineers, aeronautical engineers, physicists, specialists in structures and aerodynamics, in design and calculating tools, leading-edge specialists in composite materials and pilots with a passion for from six countries, assisted by about 100 outside advisers and 80 technological partners.11 The Solar Impulse Foundation has been set up to fund research and development in aeronautical technology using renewable energies and serving the cause of sustainable development. The foundation was placed under the official supervision of the Swiss Confederation and recognised as serving the public interest. The foundation is exempt from 12 paying taxes and therefore confers fiscal advantages for all donations. IVb: Progress monitoring No specific information is available on how the progress of the initiative has been monitored, however below the achieved goals / milestones are listed: • 2003: Feasibility study at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne • 2004–2005: Development of the concept • 2006: Simulation of long-haul flights • 2006–09: Construction of first prototype (HB-SIA; Solar Impulse 1) • 2009: First flight of Solar Impulse 1 • 2009–11: Manned test flights • 2011–12: Further test flights through Europe and North Africa • 2011–13: Construction of second prototype (HB-SIB; Solar Impulse 2) • 2013: Continental flight across the US by Solar Impulse 1 • 2014: First flight of Solar Impulse 2 • 2015–2016: Circumnavigation of the Earth by Solar Impulse 2, conducted in seventeen stages over 16-1/2 months • 2016: Establishment of the non-governmental organisation World Alliance for Efficient Solutions to promote green energy and sustainable technologies13 • 2017: Spin-off H55 by André Borschberg to develop and leverage the potential of electric propulsion in the 14 world of aviation IVc: Public-private involvement The governance of the Solar Impulse is private matter and governed by the initiators. Via the partner and support programs public and private sector actors are involved to support the challenge financially or in kind (see section IIId).

Examples of private partners that are involved are the main partners of the Solar Impulse: Omega SA, Solvay, Schindler and ABB. Examples of public partners that contributed to the project are EPFL and the European Space Agency. 15 Furthermore the Swiss federal government supported the project with a subsidy of around CHF 6 million. IVd: Communication and dissemination Next to press releases, interviews, articles in newspapers and magazines, speeches at conferences on the progress and milestones achieved the flights of the Solar Impulse 1 and Solar Impulse 2 were globally covered in newspapers, on tv channels, social media and online. During the round-the-world flight, Solar Impulse landed on each continent and met local authorities and residents to promote the use of clean technologies.16

9 https://web.archive.org/web/20130819195000/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/team/patronage-committee/ 10 https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/piccards-sonnentraeume/3648146 11 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820093237/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/team/core-team/ 12 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820100647/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/join-the-challenge/supporters-program/ 13 https://www.solarimpulse.com/world-alliance 14 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/04/solar-impluse-founders-create-spin-off-aircraft/ 15 https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/dokumentation/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-47752.html 16 https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/29/a-look-back-at-solar-impulse-2s-extraordinary-round-the-world-solar-flight.html and http://www.wired.co.uk/article/solar-impulse-land-round-world-trip At its webpage a special page was created under the name “Solar Impulse.TV” with movies, pictures and blogs on the progress of the mission.17 To promote the use of renewable energies the project created the page ‘The ‘Solar Impulse & you’ on its website open to everybody to share their commitment reduce the use of fossil energies, change lifestyles to reduce the impact on . Furthermore, the project launched an educational program in 2010. The pilots and the team maintain contact with the public at regular intervals, using institutional and multi-media methods of communication and provided material for interactive lessons.18 Moreover, the project stimulated educational programs in applied sciences at the prestigious Federal Polytechnic Institute in Lausanne, the University of Neuchatel’s Institute of Micro-Technology, and the University of Delft.19 V: Resources and budget needs/availability Va: Scale There is no detailed information available on the exact scale of the initiative. It is estimated that the entire project from its beginnings in 2003 until mid-2015 had cost €150 million and that another €20 million was raised in late 2015 to continue the round-the-world flight. Vb: Funding sources The initiative is funded with various sources: • Via the business partner model private companies contributed to the project with annual donation or in kind;20 • Universities and research organisations such as the EPFL, the European Space Agency and Dassault provided technical expertise and SunPower provided the aircraft's photovoltaic cells; • Citizens, public authorities and non-profit organisations contributed to the project via the supporters program by making donations; • Via the Angel program private individuals contributed to the project with donations or subordinated loans; • The Swiss federal government subsidized the project with a subsidy of around CHF 6 million.21 Vc: Allocation of the budget There is no detailed information available on the allocation of the budget. VI: Policy mix and integral (‘holistic’) use to deploy mission-oriented R&I-initiatives

VIa: Policy mix The initiative is supported with the establishment of the Solar Impulse Foundation. By placing the foundation under the official supervision of the Swiss Confederation and get it recognised as serving the public interest the foundation is exempt from paying taxes and therefore confers fiscal advantages for all donations.22 VIb: Engagement of citizens As described under sections IIId and IVd citizens are engaged to the initiative in various ways. Firstly, citizens could join the initiative via the Supporters program. Secondly, they were informed on the initiative and its progress with press releases, interviews, articles in newspapers and magazines, speeches at conferences, social media and online via the Solar Impulse webpage. Thirdly, they could meet the pilots at their stops during the round-the-world flight of the Solar Impulse 2. Fourthly, citizens could join the learn more about the mission and the project via the educational program. VII: Embeddedness of and connectivity with related initiatives (regional, national, supranational, global) VIIa: Relationships/links/synergies to similar initiatives elsewhere The development of a solar airline has been taking up be several other parties. First initiatives to develop such an airplane were the unmanned AstroFlight Sunrise in 1974, the Solar One in 1978, and the manned Mauro Solar Riser in 1979. Other and more recent initiatives are Boeing’s FCL (2008) and Siemens’ and Airbus’s Extra 330LE (2017) electric powered . 23 24 VIIb: Links to UN Sustainable Development Goals The initiative can be linked to the following UN SDGs: SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns and SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation VIII: SWOT analysis

VIIIa: Strengths • Bertrand Piccard’s track record as adventurer and explorer. • Appealing challenge of flying an airplane round the world propelled solely by .

17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110628111908/http://solarimpulse.com/sitv/index.php?lang=en&group=media 18 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820063928/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/multimedia/educational-material/ 19 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820003650/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/educational-program/ 20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140717023500/http://www.solarimpulse.com/timeline/view/7401 21 https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/government-supports-solar-impulse-with-chf6m/41279522 22 https://web.archive.org/web/20130820100647/http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/join-the-challenge/supporters-program/ 23 https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/BoeingFliesFuelCellAircraft_197531-1.html 24 https://www.siemens.com/press/en/feature/2015/corporate/2015-03-electromotor.php • Connection to the global challenge on climate change. • Broad support by private and public sector actors, as well as citizens. • Global coverage in newspapers, magazines and tv of the successful flight of the Solar Impulse 2. VIIIb: Weaknesses • At the start of the initiative the funding was not secured VIIIc: Opportunities • Developed technology could be sold to other buyers. • Research findings can be applied to other domains: new generation of solar sensors can be applied in pacemakers and research to man-machine interaction can contribute to the development of various prostheses or wheelchairs. • Launch of the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions to promote green energy and sustainable technologies. • Commercial spin-off H55 by André Borschberg to develop and leverage the potential of electric propulsion in the world of aviation . VIIId: Threats • Failure of the mission could damage Piccard’s image VIIIe: Lessons learned • The establishment of the Solar Impulse Foundation exempt from paying taxes and therefore confers fiscal advantages for all donations provided attractive conditions for private and public actors to back the mission. • The exclusive sponsorship model with different categories stimulated private and public actors to support the initiative. • The establishment of the patronage committee with internationally known politicians, scientists and industry leaders increased the credibility of the mission and helped to promote green energy and sustainable technologies.

References https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/dokumentation/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-47752.html https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/BoeingFliesFuelCellAircraft_197531-1.html https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/29/a-look-back-at-solar-impulse-2s-extraordinary-round-the-world-solar-flight.html https://www.siemens.com/press/en/feature/2015/corporate/2015-03-electromotor.php https://www.solarimpulse.com/ https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/04/solar-impluse-founders-create-spin-off-aircraft/ https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/government-supports-solar-impulse-with-chf6m/41279522 https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/piccards-sonnentraeume/3648146 https://web.archive.org/web/20110628111959/http://solarimpulse.com/index.php http://www.wired.co.uk/article/solar-impulse-land-round-world-trip