A new project named “Icharus” has been launched in Salento, Italy, with the aim of studying the use of hydrogen as a green fuel.
The project, which has received almost three million euros in funding from the European Commission, will be led by Maria Grazia De Giorgi, a professor of aerospace propulsion and coordinator of the research group in Propulsion at the University of Lecce.
The four-year project will involve a partnership between academics and representatives of the industrial world from various European countries, including Imperial College, Tu Berlin, Tu Delft, Toulouse Polytechnic, DLR, Cerfacs, the University of Florence, Safran, Nuovo Pignone, University of Sydney, and Pennsylvania State University. The project’s main goal is to investigate innovative techniques for using hydrogen as fuel, such as the use of electromagnetic fields to control the combustion of hydrogen and improve its stability, reduce NOx emissions, and increase efficiency.
The use of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, which accounts for more than 80% of global energy demand, has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The aviation and energy industries are among the most energy-intensive sectors and currently lack scalable electrification solutions. The use of hydrogen as fuel, produced by the electrolysis of water with renewable sources, can be a solution for the decarbonisation of combustion systems.
However, hydrogen combustion presents several challenges. The project aims to address these challenges and offer a new paradigm for solving flame stability and combustion system performance issues when using hydrogen as a fuel. Additionally, the project will allow the creation of a “doctoral network” with 10 doctoral students who will be engaged in a training program covering technical-scientific aspects, project management, sustainability, and soft skills. They will obtain a doctoral degree conferred by the various European universities participating in the project.
While the use of hydrogen as fuel presents significant potential benefits, there are also potential challenges. For example, producing and storing hydrogen requires significant infrastructure investment, and the technology for using hydrogen as fuel in vehicles is not yet widely available. Furthermore, there are safety concerns related to the storage and transport of hydrogen.
Despite these challenges, the Icharus project is an important step forward in advancing the use of hydrogen as a green fuel. By investing in research and training, the project aims to develop innovative solutions for using hydrogen as fuel that are safe, efficient, and sustainable. If successful, the project could have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more sustainable future.
