Hydrogen has been designated as a future energy source by the US federal government. Using hydrogen generated by wind and solar power, industries such as steelmakers will be supplied over the next few decades.
As part of this effort, the country’s reliance on foreign energy sources should be reduced. Federal officials say hydrogen will play a major role in the aviation industry as well.
As the number of flights continues to rise, airlines are aiming to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least half by the year 2050. Bio-kerosene research is a priority for the companies, but hydrogen is also a major focus. Airbus, for example, aims to offer a hydrogen aircraft by 2035 at the latest. In contrast, innovative turbines that only use hydrogen are employed.
Fuel cells will not be able to power an aircraft the size of an Airbus A320 in the foreseeable future. The new turbines should allow this up to a distance of 2000 kilometers. The logistics and safe storage of hydrogen for aircraft is a major issue here. As a result, new infrastructure is required. This issue has been taken on by a number of startups, as well.
Los Angeles-based company Universal Hydrogen, for example, aims to address these issues. Also, it has created so-called “conversion kits” for existing aircraft that can be used to convert them to hydrogen-powered propulsion. A total of $80 million in venture capital has been invested in the company to date, including money from Airbus Ventures.
Another issue is how to transport hydrogen. To convert Europe’s existing gas pipeline network to hydrogen, the EU is currently examining the necessary effort. But this does not mean that all areas have been accessed in this manner. For countries that are not connected to a gas pipeline network, another solution must be found. Another American start-up might have been able to come up with a solution to this.
H2 Clipper, a company based in California, is developing airships that will transport hydrogen while also acting as a gas for lifting aircraft. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells should be used to propel the airships. Despite the fact that the project is still in its conceptual stages, the company is confident that its airship will be faster and more efficient than the blimps currently in use thanks to modern aeronautical design. Dassault Systems has recently selected the company to participate in a support program.
The zeppelin’s main advantage is its ability to take off and land with a small amount of room. Investments in infrastructure can be kept to a minimum if you don’t need large airports. Small zeppelin ports near industrial plants are sufficient, according to the company’s theory, to pump and store hydrogen transported by air. It is possible for the zeppelin to reach regions or islands that are not connected to the mainland by a pipeline with a range of up to 9,000 kilometers.
