Climate-friendly aviation
British researchers present hydrogen aircraft that should make flying CO2-free
The hydrogen airplane developed by the Aerospace Technology Institute
© Aerospace Technology Institute
Because of its climate friendliness, hydrogen is considered to be the energy source of the future. British researchers have presented a hydrogen aircraft that will make flying CO2-free in the future. The project sounds promising, but there are hurdles.
Depending on the type of hydrogen, they reduce CO2 emissions or even emit no CO2 at all and are therefore climate-friendly. However, the technology is not yet ready for mass use. In aviation in particular, it is still in its infancy. However, the British Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has now come a significant step closer to the topic. As part of the “Fly Zero” research project, it presented the concept of a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft. According to the developers, it does not emit any climate-damaging CO2 emissions.
The 54-meter-long aircraft offers space for up to 279 passengers and has two hydrogen-powered turbofan engines. It “shows the enormous potential of green liquid hydrogen for aviation.” After all, it should not only be suitable for short journeys but also for long journeys. Flights from London to destinations such as Beijing, Vancouver or Rio De Janeiro are possible. With a stopover, other destinations such as San Francisco (USA) or Auckland (New Zealand) can be reached. The hydrogen aircraft should have the same speed and the same comfort as today’s aircraft.
Developers hope to revolutionize aviation
“Fly Zero”, which is sponsored by the British government, could accelerate the construction of a global network of carbon-free flights and reduce emissions from long-haul flights, it is said. In addition, “the increasing demand should lead to lower supply costs”.
Fly Zero Project Leader Chris Gear says, “At a time when tackling climate change is a global focus, our midsize concept represents a truly revolutionary vision for the future of global aviation that connects families, businesses and nations without to leave a carbon footprint. “
The new concept aircraft brings real opportunities for the UK aerospace industry to secure market share, highly skilled jobs and foreign investment. At the same time, it could help meet UK commitments to tackle climate change. The aim is for Great Britain to become “at the forefront of sustainable aviation” over the next few years.
Still “great technological challenges”
However, it is also said that there are still “major technological challenges in the implementation of an environmentally friendly flight powered by liquid hydrogen”. Martin Wietschel from the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research said in the “Handelsblatt”: “In a national or European context, you can still think about hydrogen.” But the energy density of hydrogen is not sufficient for long-haul flights. “There are simply limits to these solutions. I don’t see how one should get over them.”
Gerald Wissel from the consulting firm Airborne Consulting even expressed doubts to the newspaper that hydrogen aircraft could be used on medium-haul routes by 2035. “According to all that we have in terms of knowledge, synthetic fuels are the only means of doing something quickly in aviation to protect the climate.” The actual contribution to climate protection will be small, even if in 15 years the first airlines will transport their passengers with hydrogen planes. Because the technology is likely to initially only be used on short-haul flights with small planes. Here, however, only a very small part of the emissions arise from air traffic. More than half of the CO2 emissions are caused by long-haul flights.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps spoke of a “groundbreaking design for an aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen”. It will therefore be a few more years before the hydrogen aircraft goes into operation – provided it actually comes onto the market. At the beginning of next year, the researchers plan to publish detailed results of the research project, including three final aircraft concepts (regional, narrow-body and medium-sized aircraft), technology plans, market and economic reports and a sustainability assessment.
Airbus wants to bring hydrogen aircraft out by 2035
Airbus, one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world, has already made plans for a hydrogen-powered aircraft public. The European aircraft manufacturer plans to bring a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft onto the market that is ready for the market by 2035. In order to actually achieve the goal of CO2-free flying in this way, all those involved must “be quick together,” said Airbus boss Guillaume Faury in September. Liquid hydrogen must be available in sufficient quantities in good time and at the right price in the right places. And the states would have to set up rules on how to use the new fuel in aviation.
According to Airbus Faury, Airbus is currently still working on the technical fundamentals. This involves a lot of brain work and not yet that high costs. The expensive development of the new aircraft itself must begin in 2027 or 2028 so that it can be used in passenger traffic from 2035.
Sources:Press release Aerospace Technology Institute, Handelsblatt, with material from dpa