Page 7 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2022 Online Magazine

Airbus has revealed that it is developing a hydrogen-powered Hydrogen fuel cells, especially when stacked
fuel cell engine. The propulsion system is being considered as together, increase their power output allowing
one of the potential solutions to equip its zero-emission aircraft scalability. In addition, an engine powered by
that will enter service by 2035. hydrogen fuel cells produces zero NOx emis-
sions or contrails thereby offering additional
Airbus will start ground and flight testing this fuel cell engine decarbonisation benefits.
architecture onboard its ZEROe demonstrator aircraft towards
the middle of the decade. The A380 MSN1 flight test aircraft for Airbus has been exploring the possibilities of
new hydrogen technologies is currently being modified to carry fuel cell propulsion systems for aviation for
liquid hydrogen tanks and their associated distribution systems. some time. In October 2020, Airbus created
Aerostack, a joint venture with ElringKlinger,
“Fuel cells are a potential solution to help us achieve our a company with over 20 years of experience
zero-emission ambition and we are focused on developing and as both a fuel cell systems and component
testing this technology to understand if it is feasible and viable supplier. In December 2020, Airbus presented
for a 2035 entry-into-service of a zero-emission aircraft,” said its pod-concept which included six removable
Glenn Llewellyn, VP Zero-Emission Aircraft, Airbus. fuel cell propeller propulsion systems.
“At scale, and if the technology targets were achieved, fuel cell
engines may be able to power a one hundred passenger aircraft Boeing’s Endeavour
with a range of approximately 1,000 nautical miles. By continuing
to invest in this technology we are giving ourselves additional Boeing is also setting an ambitious target
options that will inform our decisions on the architecture of our to advance the long-term sustainability of
future ZEROe aircraft, the development of which we intend to commercial aviation, committing that its com-
launch in the 2027-2028 timeframe.” mercial airplanes are capable and certified
to fly on 100 per cent sustainable aviation
Ways To Use Hydrogen fuels by 2030.
Boeing has previously conducted successful
There are two ways hydrogen can be used as a power source test flights replacing petroleum jet fuel with
for aircraft propulsion. First via hydrogen combustion in a gas 100 per cent sustainable fuels to address the
turbine, and second, by using fuel cells to convert hydrogen into urgent challenge of climate change. The air-
electricity in order to power a propeller engine. framer is determining the changes required
A hydrogen gas turbine can also be coupled with fuel cells instead for its current and future commercial airplanes
of batteries in a hybrid-electric architecture. to fly on 100 per cent sustainable fuels, and to
work with regulatory authorities and others
across the industry to raise the blending limit
© CEVA Logistics
for expanded use.
“With a long history of innovation in sustain-
able aviation fuels, certifying our family of
airplanes to fly on 100 per cent sustainable
fuels significantly advances Boeing’s deep
commitment to innovate and operate to make
the world better,” Boeing’s Chief Sustainability
Officer Chris Raymond said.

In 2018, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight
test program made the world’s first com-
mercial airplane flight using 100 per cent
sustainable fuels with an Everett-built 777
Freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express.
In the middle of this year, Boeing unveiled a
new data modelling tool called Cascade to
show the most effective scenarios for reaching
the destination by 2050. The model includes
consultation with leading universities and will
continue to be used with key stakeholders.
The company also shared illustrative hydro-
gen and electric concepts that could power
the future of flight.

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