For the past century, air transportation has been adequately burdened by fossil fuels and the industry accounts for the lion’s share of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Meanwhile, a new wave of innovation awaits hydrogen power planes, promising to change the face of air travel with a precipitous drop in emissions, rendering aviation in a completely new light.
Promise of Hydrogen Fuel
Hydrogen fuel promises to be a clean substitute for conventional fuels used in aviation. When hydrogen is combusted in a fuel cell, the only by-products released are water vapour and heat, thereby promising to be an environmentally sensitive fuel on board.
This potential zero-emission has piqued the interest of governments, airlines, and manufacturers of aircraft, which have begun investing in hydrogen technology as a future source of fuel for light aviation aircraft in the future as well.
Present Developments in Hydrogen Aviation
Several companies are actively working on designing hydrogen aircraft, each with its take on tapping into this forward-thinking fuel source:
1. Airbus: Airbus has risen to the challenge also, through its ZEROe. An aircraft capable of running on hydrogen would be the first commercial aircraft powered by hydrogen. T
2. ZeroAvia: This California-based company is working currently to develop hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for regional aircraft. Earlier in 2020, the company was successful in flying a modified Piper M-class aircraft with a hydrogen powertrain, proof that technology could exist.
3. Deutsche Aircraft: Formerly part of Bombardier Aerospace, Deutsche Aircraft has transformed into a company developing the D328eco, an all-new regional aircraft with hydrogen integration in its design.
Emissions Consideration
Aviation already accounts for approximately 2-3% of carbon dioxide globally, and this is expected to continue growth over time as demand for air transport goes up.
Hydrogen aircraft promise an enormous reduction in the same output. Scientific studies estimate that if hydrogen were to replace conventional jet fuel across the aviation sector, the greenhouse gases could be reduced by as much as 50%.
The production of hydrogen itself is evolving. It could displace grey hydrogen, made from natural gas with CO2 emission in its very production phase.
Combining hydrogen aircraft with the production of green hydrogen can get aviation over the transition to an even more sustainable model while playing a part in an ambitious climate agenda.
Challenges Ahead
Though the promise for hydrogen aviation looks bright, several challenges have to be overcome before its implementation and adoption in full force:
1. Infrastructure Development: The biggest deficit in the rollout of hydrogen-powered aircraft is the infrastructure. New fueling systems have to be developed at the airports so that hydrogen can be filled into the aircraft.
2. Technological Challenges: While hydrogen technology has made a tremendous stride forward, engineers continue to develop fuel cell systems and storage mechanisms to achieve safety, efficiency, and reliability in an aviation environment.
3. Regulatory Approvals: The entire spectrum of aviation is highly regulated, and there would be no new technology that would enter without being extensively tested and certified.
Thus, time-to-market for hydrogen-powered planes shall be delayed further amidst procrastination because companies push through the complex regulatory landscape.
Future of Air Travel
Hybrids are a lifeline in the current storm as the world becomes increasingly conscious of sustainability.
The trend is promising for the aviation industry, as major manufacturing companies are already investing in research and development that should promise improvements to be made. Zero-emission air travel is within view.
Conclusion Hydrogen aircraft would present a radical shift in this new air travel technology with the least emissions possible and aligned with international sustainability goals.
It remains a challenge, but the synergistic effort of innovators, policymakers, and the fraternity of aviation is building up to an even cleaner, greener future in the skies.