Turning point for aviation: The world’s first manned flight in an aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen takes place
The “hydrogen barrier” has been broken.
In a watershed moment for aviation, the world’s first manned flights of an electric aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen took place.
H2flyA developer of hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion systems based in Stuttgart, Germany, announced that its HY4 aircraft – equipped with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen – completed four flights, including one that lasted over three hours.
The hydrogen aircraft took off from Maribor, Slovenia, and “ran safely and efficiently during several flight tests,” H2fly said in a statement.
It continued: “The results of the test flights indicate that the use of liquid hydrogen instead of gaseous hydrogen will double the maximum range of the HY4 aircraft from 750 km (466 miles) to 1,500 km (932 miles), a crucial step on the way to delivery.” zero-emission commercial medium and long-haul flights.
H2fly, a Stuttgart-based developer of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft, announced that its HY4 aircraft completed four flights, including one that lasted over three hours. The picture above shows the aircraft during one of these test flights
H2fly explained that compared to storing pressurized gaseous hydrogen, the use of liquefied cryogenic hydrogen allows for significantly lower tank weight and volume, resulting in greater aircraft range and usable payload.
Professor Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2fly, said: “This success marks a turning point in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft.” Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the feasibility of liquid hydrogen to support zero-emission medium and long-haul flights.
“We are now looking to expand our technology for regional aircraft and other applications, beginning the critical mission of decarbonizing commercial aviation.”
The airline easyJet and manufacturers Airbus and Rolls-Royce are part of the new Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance and are calling for more attention to hydrogen as a way to decarbonize air travel.
The Alliance believes the UK can become a world leader in the development of hydrogen-powered flights if the government invests in a ten-year research program, supports the delivery of infrastructure and ensures the necessary regulatory regime is in place.
It says hydrogen as a aviation fuel can bring £34 billion in annual benefits to the UK by 2050.
The only waste product from using hydrogen as fuel is water, leading to the hope that it could be used to power commercial aircraft without carbon emissions.
The hydrogen aircraft (above) took off from Maribor, Slovenia and “performed safe and efficient operations 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 deliver a £34 billion annual boost to the country’s economy by 2050. Given this opportunity Rapid change is needed and the time to act is now.
“We must work together to deliver the radical solutions required for a hard-to-contain industry like aviation, so that we can protect and maximize the benefits it brings to the UK economy and society, which we know that British consumers want to be preserved.”
“HIA looks forward to working with the UK government to ensure the right financial, regulatory and policy changes are implemented to accelerate the implementation of zero-carbon aviation.”
Professor Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2fly, said: “This success marks a turning point in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft.”
H2fly explained that compared to storing pressurized gaseous hydrogen, the use of liquefied cryogenic hydrogen allows for significantly lower tank weight and volume, resulting in greater aircraft range and usable payload
Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technology Officer, said: “As Airbus continues to mature the aircraft technologies required for hydrogen-powered flights, a united industry voice is needed to ensure a robust renewable hydrogen ecosystem.”
“By taking a targeted approach to policy and investment alongside our colleagues across the UK aviation landscape, we will move closer to a decarbonised future of flying.”
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer of Rolls-Royce, said: “Collaboration is key when it comes to achieving our net zero ambitions as an industry, which is why we are proud to be part of the Hydrogen in Aviation alliance. “
“Our contribution to HIA is the ability and experience we have in developing new technologies and solutions – we have already tested a modern aircraft engine using green hydrogen and strongly believe that it is one of the solutions that will be needed in the medium to long term will contribute to the decarbonization of aviation.” term.’