Exciting advances in hydrogen technology mean that fossil-free air travel could soon become a reality. Find out more here:
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have unveiled groundbreaking studies indicating that nearly all air travel within a 750-mile radius (1200 km) could be powered by hydrogen aircraft by 2045.
Hydrogen aviation
This development promises to revolutionise short and medium-range flights, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-powered aviation.
According to Professor Tomas Grönstedt of Chalmers University, the first commercial hydrogen flights in Sweden could take off as early as 2028. “If everything falls into place, the commercialisation of hydrogen flight can go really fast now,” says Grönstedt, who also directs the TechForH2 competence centre at Chalmers.
In the university’s state-of-the-art wind tunnels, researchers are developing more energy-efficient engines that pave the way for safe and efficient hydrogen flight for heavy-duty vehicles.
A recent Chalmers study led by doctoral student Christian Svensson shows that hydrogen-powered flights could meet 97% of all intra-Nordic routes and 58% of the Nordic passenger volume by 2045. The study focused on adapting an existing aircraft model for hydrogen power and showcased a new, lightweight fuel tank capable of holding super-cold liquid hydrogen. This innovative tank is essential for making hydrogen flight a viable option.
Reducing fuel consumption
Heat exchangers play a crucial role in hydrogen aviation. To keep fuel systems lightweight, hydrogen must remain in liquid form at around -250 degrees Celsius. Researchers at Chalmers have been developing a new heat exchanger, now patent pending by partner GKN Aerospace, to efficiently manage extreme temperatures.
By recovering heat from the jet engines’ hot exhaust and preheating the hydrogen fuel before combustion, these heat exchangers can reduce fuel consumption by almost eight per cent. This improvement could extend the range of aircraft by up to ten percent, making routes like Gothenburg to Berlin (approximately 450 miles) feasible.
Sweden is committed to investing heavily in hydrogen aviation. The Swedish Hydrogen Development Centre (SHDC) brings together key players from academia and industry to push forward the technology and infrastructure needed for hydrogen flight.
While the technology is advancing, significant investments in infrastructure and partnerships are essential for producing, transporting, and storing green hydrogen.
With expectations that 30-40% of global aviation could be hydrogen-powered by 2050, the transition is likely to involve a mix of electric, e-jet fuel, and hydrogen-powered aircraft. Each hydrogen-powered flight significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a greener future.
Chalmers University’s TechForH2 center, with a budget of SEK 162 million (USD 15.5 million), is at the forefront of this transition, developing new hydrogen propulsion technologies for heavy transport. With ongoing research and collaboration, the dream of fossil-free skies is rapidly becoming a reality.
