Hydrogen Developments in Aviation
Connor Dolan
Few innovations in transportation have been more transformative than aviation. Air travel has shrunk the world, connecting people and products to places across the globe. This innovation comes with a climate cost, however - in 2022 aviation accounted for 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, growing faster in recent decades than rail, road or shipping (IEA). With countries committing to ambitious net zero carbon emission goals by 2050, jet fuels derived from fossil fuels are quickly becoming a key decarbonization focus.
As outlined in a prior FCHEA “Transition” blog post, hydrogen can be used to fuel aerial vehicles both through direct use in fuel cell electric powertrains, and in the creation of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) that reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional aircraft fuel. Due to its high energy density, hydrogen provides a robust source of lightweight power that allows air travel without carbon emissions. In this blog post, we will explore recent developments in hydrogen aviation technology and related airport infrastructure.
Read More