The aviation industry faces a looming crisis that threatens to ground flights worldwide within the next two decades. This double-edged challenge stems from two critical issues: the reliance on kerosene-based jet fuel and the impending depletion of oil reserves. As the world runs out of oil, the search for a sustainable, clean energy alternative for aviation has become urgent. Without a viable solution, the skies could soon be empty.
So, what could save the day? While batteries and solar panels might seem like obvious choices, they fall short. Instead, the future of aviation may lie in a more surprising and revolutionary option: green hydrogen. Let’s explore how hydrogen could be the answer to these challenges and how it’s already setting the stage for aviation’s next mega project.
The Aviation Industry’s Dilemma
The aviation industry is a global powerhouse, supporting nearly 90 million jobs and enabling the vast tourism sector. However, it’s also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for over 3% of global CO2 output. Unlike the automotive industry, which is rapidly electrifying, aviation has no clear alternative to kerosene—a critical challenge given that planes require immense energy to take off and maintain flight.
Batteries, even next-generation ones, are simply too heavy and bulky to power commercial aircraft effectively. For instance, a 100-passenger plane flying from Los Angeles to New York would need to be entirely filled with batteries, leaving no room for passengers. This impracticality has left the industry in search of a viable alternative, and hydrogen is emerging as the frontrunner.
The Obstacles to Hydrogen-Powered Flight
Hydrogen, while promising, presents its own set of challenges. The first issue is storage: hydrogen takes up significantly more space than kerosene. This means that a hydrogen-powered plane would have to sacrifice passenger capacity—reducing a 400-passenger plane to just 150 passengers, a catastrophic scenario for airlines.
Engineers have proposed solutions, such as storing hydrogen as a liquid at cryogenic temperatures (below -252 degrees Celsius). While this reduces the required storage space, it introduces new design complexities, requiring a complete overhaul of existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure.
Moreover, the hydrogen supply chain itself is problematic. Currently, most hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels, undermining its potential as a clean energy source. Additionally, the cost of upgrading airport infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen fueling is estimated at around $250 billion—a price tag that no one is eager to pay.
Hydrogen: The Ultimate Solution
Despite these challenges, hydrogen holds incredible promise as the future of aviation fuel. When burned, hydrogen produces mostly water vapor, making it a clean alternative to kerosene. It also generates more energy per unit than kerosene, potentially improving aircraft efficiency.
Hydrogen can power planes in two ways: through hydrogen combustion engines that emit water vapor or electric engines powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The latter eliminates the need for heavy batteries, making it a more practical option for aviation.
The Breakthroughs and Mega Projects Leading the Way
Recent breakthroughs are paving the way for a hydrogen-powered future in aviation. Start-up company ZeroAvia successfully tested a hydrogen-powered 19-seat plane in March 2022, with several more tests following in 2023. These planes use hydrogen-electric systems, generating electricity onboard via hydrogen fuel cells—a significant step forward for sustainable aviation.
Universal Hydrogen is tackling the fueling problem by developing modular hydrogen capsules that can be transported via existing freight networks to airports. These capsules can be easily stored and loaded onto planes, eliminating the need for costly new infrastructure. The company has also developed retrofit kits to convert existing aircraft to hydrogen power, and it successfully tested a retrofitted Bombardier Dash 8-300 earlier this year.
Meanwhile, aerospace giant Airbus is investing heavily in hydrogen combustion engines. The company is modifying an A380 airliner—the world’s largest commercial aircraft—to test hydrogen-powered flights under real-world conditions. Airbus is also exploring the creation of hydrogen hubs at major airports, like Singapore’s Changi Airport and Milan’s Malpensa Airport, in partnership with local authorities and industrial partners.
Mega Hydrogen Production Projects
The success of hydrogen-powered aviation hinges on the availability of green hydrogen. Fortunately, mega projects are already underway to meet the rising demand. Saudi Arabia is leading the charge with the NEOM Helios Green Fuel Project, a $5 billion facility dedicated to producing green hydrogen-based ammonia for global transport.
Africa is also emerging as a key player, with large-scale green hydrogen projects like Mauritania’s Aman and Nour Electrolyzer projects, as well as initiatives in Namibia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Djibouti. Together, these projects are positioning Africa and the Middle East as the future suppliers of green hydrogen for the aviation and automotive industries.
Conclusion
Hydrogen-powered planes represent a revolutionary shift in aviation, addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges. While significant obstacles remain, recent breakthroughs and ongoing mega projects suggest that hydrogen could indeed fill the skies in the next decade. As we witness these disruptive innovations unfold, the future of aviation looks greener and more sustainable than ever before.
What do you think about this global green hydrogen transformation? Will hydrogen-powered planes dominate the skies in the near future? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more updates.
