The “hydrogen barrier” has been broken.
At a watershed moment for aviation, the world’s first piloted flights of an electric aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen took place.
H2flya developer of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft based in Stuttgart, Germany, announced that its HY4 aircraft – equipped with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen – has made four flights, including one which lasted more than three hours.
The hydrogen plane took off from Maribor in Slovenia and “operated safely and efficiently throughout several flight tests,” H2fly said in a statement.
It continues: “The results of the test flights indicate that the use of liquid hydrogen in place of gaseous hydrogen will double the maximum range of the HY4 aircraft from 750 km (466 miles) to 1,500 km (932 miles), marking a crucial step towards the delivery of emissions-free, medium and long-haul commercial flights.
H2fly, a Stuttgart-based developer of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft, announced that its HY4 aircraft completed four flights, including one lasting more than three hours. The photo above shows the aircraft during one of these test flights
H2fly explained that compared to storing gaseous hydrogen under pressure, the use of liquefied and cryogenic hydrogen can significantly reduce the weight and volume of tanks, thus leading to increased aircraft autonomy and useful payload. .
Professor Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2fly, said: “This achievement marks a turning point in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the viability of liquid hydrogen to enable medium- and long-range emissions-free flights.
“We now plan to extend our technology to regional aircraft and other applications, beginning the critical mission of decarbonizing commercial aviation.”
Airline easyJet and manufacturers Airbus and Rolls-Royce are part of the new Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance and are calling for greater attention to be given to hydrogen as a way to decarbonise air travel.
The alliance believes the UK can become a world leader in the development of hydrogen flight if the government invests in a 10-year research programme, supports the provision of infrastructure and ensures the required regulatory regime is in place .
It says hydrogen, as an aviation fuel, could bring the UK an annual profit of £34 billion by 2050.
The only waste resulting from using hydrogen as a fuel is water, raising hopes that it could power commercial aircraft without creating carbon emissions.
The hydrogen plane (above) took off from Maribor in Slovenia and “operated safely and efficiently during several flight tests.”
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of EasyJet, said: “There is no doubt that the UK has the potential to become a world leader in hydrogen aviation, which could bring £34 billion a year to the country’s economy by 2050, but in order to capture this opportunity, rapid change is needed and now is the time to act.
“We must work together to deliver the radical solutions required for a hard-to-curb sector like aviation so that we can protect and maximize the benefits it brings to the UK economy and society and which we know consumers British want to be preserved.”
“HIA looks forward to working with the UK Government to ensure the appropriate funding, regulatory and policy changes are implemented to accelerate the delivery of carbon-free aviation. »
Professor Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2fly, said: “This achievement marks a turning point in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft.”
H2fly explained that compared to storing gaseous hydrogen under pressure, the use of liquefied and cryogenic hydrogen can significantly reduce the weight and volume of tanks, thus leading to increased aircraft autonomy and useful payload. .
Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technology Officer, said: “As Airbus continues to develop the aviation technologies needed to deliver hydrogen-powered flights, a united industry voice is needed to ensure a robust hydrogen ecosystem. of renewable origin.
“Joining our peers across the UK aviation landscape in a targeted approach to policy action and investment brings us closer to a decarbonized future of air travel. »
Grazia Vittadini, Rolls-Royce Chief Technology Officer, said: “Collaboration is key when it comes to achieving our net zero ambitions as an industry, which is why we are proud to make part of the Hydrogen in Aviation alliance.
“Our contribution to HIA lies in the capability and experience we have in pioneering new technologies and solutions. We have already tested a modern aircraft engine using green hydrogen and we are convinced that it is one of the solutions that will contribute to decarbonizing aviation in the medium and long term. -term.’
