The head of French engine manufacturer Safran stated on Wednesday that hydrogen-powered airplanes, promoted by some as a means to significantly reduce carbon emissions from aviation, are not expected to become a practical technology in the near future.
Olivier Andries told a French parliamentary committee that “hydrogen in aviation is more suited for the 22nd century.”
Airbus Targets Hydrogen Planes to Cut Emissions
Airbus, the pan-European aircraft manufacturer, has been developing hydrogen-powered planes with the goal of entering service in the 2040s, though it admitted last year that progress has been slower than anticipated.
Because burning hydrogen generates only water, both the aviation and automotive sectors have explored it as a potential way to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
Olivier Andries noted that Safran, a key engine supplier for both Airbus and Boeing, already produces engines capable of running on hydrogen.
However, liquid hydrogen, even at -253°C (-423°F), occupies four times the volume of the kerosene currently used in airplanes.
This makes it incompatible with existing aircraft designs and would demand billions of euros in investment to build hydrogen storage facilities at airports around the world.
“You can’t just come up with ideas that don’t fit into today’s ecosystem,” Andries told lawmakers.
He also questioned proposals to restrict flying as a way to reduce emissions, noting that the aviation industry is targeting a 50% cut in 2005-level emissions by 2050.
Andries pointed out that over five billion people flew last year, and global airline revenue is already 20% above pre-COVID figures.
“The trend is very strong, whether you like it or not,” he said, highlighting India’s rapidly growing middle class, which “wants to fly.”
“When it comes to environmental concerns affecting global air traffic growth, I’m not seeing it,” he added.
Read the original article on: Tech Xplore
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