Sustainable Biz - Magazine - Page 7
Over the last five years, we explored multiple
hydrogen-propulsion concepts and believe a fully
electric, fuel-cell aircraft offers the best pathway
to revolutionise aviation and deliver the necessary
power density for commercial flight.
Airbus Head of the ZEROe Project, Glenn
Llewellyn adds, “Over the last five years,
we have explored multiple hydrogenpropulsion concepts, before downselecting this fully electric concept. We are
confident it could provide the necessary
power density for a hydrogen-powered
commercial aircraft and could evolve as
we mature the technology. In the coming
years, we will concentrate on advancing
the storage, distribution and propulsion
systems, while also advocating for the
regulatory framework needed to ensure
these aircraft can take flight.”
In 2023, Airbus successfully demonstrated
a 1.2MW hydrogen-propulsion system,
and in 2024, end-to-end testing of an
integrated fuel cell stack, electric motors,
gearboxes, inverters and heat exchangers
was completed. To address liquid hydrogen
handling and distribution challenges in
flight, Airbus, in collaboration with Air
Liquide Advanced Technologies, has
developed the Liquid Hydrogen BreadBoard
(LH2BB) in Grenoble, France. Integrated
ground testing is planned for 2027 at the
Electric Aircraft System Test House in
Munich, combining the propulsive bench
and hydrogen distribution system for
comprehensive system validation.
Beyond the aircraft technologies, Airbus
will continue to foster the emergence of
a hydrogen aviation economy and the
associated regulatory framework, which
are also critical enablers to the advent of
hydrogen-powered flight at scale.
our commitment to decarbonise aviation.
While we've adjusted our roadmap,
our dedication to hydrogen-powered
flight is unwavering. Just as we saw in
the automotive sector, fully electric
aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells
have the potential in the longer term to
revolutionise air transport for the better,
complementing the sustainable aviation
fuel pathway.” These technologies were
notably showcased as part of a new,
notional concept of a hydrogen aircraft
powered by four, 2-megawatt electric
propulsion engines, each driven by a fuel
cell system that converts hydrogen and
oxygen into electrical energy. The four fuel
cell systems would be supplied via two
liquid hydrogen tanks. This concept will
continue to be refined over the coming
years as additional tests will help mature
the technologies associated with hydrogen
storage and distribution, as well as with
the propulsion systems.
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