The aviation industry is growing more and more active about environmental impacts of aviation and manufacturers, airlines, and others are often discussing on ways to deal with the same. At the FIA Connect, experts narrowed down on a mix of approaches that will be necessary to achieve zero emissions, and hydrogen remained in focus especially as Airbus seems to be eyeing hydrogen for its airliner ambitions. The global manufacturer expressed that it sees hydrogen as the pathway toward its goal of bringing a zero-emissions commercial airliner to market in the next decade.

“We’ve been very clear recently that we have the ambition to bring a zero-emissions commercial airliner to market in the early 2030s, and one of the most promising technologies to allow us to do that is hydrogen. We believe we need to position the aviation industry to be powered by renewable energy, and hydrogen is a very good surrogate for allowing us to do that,” said Glenn Llewellyn, Vice President of zero-emissions technology for Airbus.

Such progress will entail reaching beyond aircraft borders. In addition, Airbus believes the airport community must also prepare for hydrogen-powered aircraft in the 2030s. This means bringing hydrogen on the airport to power ground vehicles leading up to that point, Llewellyn added.

Llewellyn further said, “Longer-term, however, scientists know the current generation of biofuel will reach a scalability limit and aviation will need more investment into power-to-liquid synthetic fuels, such as those using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis involving hydrogen and carbon molecules. Currently, hydrogen looks promising for aircraft up to 200 passengers, but SAF or power-to-liquid fuels might prove to be better options for larger aircraft.”

The panelists discussed that for the path to zero emissions aircraft, hydrogen ranks among multiple approaches that will be necessary to reach their ultimate sustainability goals. Hydrogen can be produced by solar or wind and that energy can be carried onboard through fuel cells to drive gas turbines or a hybrid-electric combination of the two. That would enable a significant reduction in aviation’s effect on climate change.

Hydrogen, however, is just one approach needed for the future mix of fuels. Aircraft already have received certification to carry up to 50 percent of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), such as biofuel. SAF stands as the most promising short-term option.

Agreeing to that, Llewellyn further said, “Longer-term, however, scientists know the current generation of biofuel will reach a scalability limit and aviation will need more investment into power-to-liquid synthetic fuels, such as those using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis involving hydrogen and carbon molecules. Currently, hydrogen looks promising for aircraft up to 200 passengers, but SAF or power-to-liquid fuels might prove to be better options for larger aircraft.”

However, Russ Dunn, chief technology officer and head of strategy for GKN Aerospace highlighted that SAF is possible but needs the right economic conditions, there are huge advances that can be made beyond that as well.

Riona Armesmith, Chief Project Engineer for hybrid-electric propulsion for Rolls-Royce, added that in short term the industry can absolutely use SAF immediately. “Hydrogen needs a bit more work for use in gas turbines, but it is something Rolls-Royce is examining, along with electric. The industry needs to support such efforts.”

SAF stands as the most immediate approach, but other means, including hydrogen, look as if they can help deliver on sustainability and nobody is under the illusion that there’s one technology that’s going to solve sustainability challenges, stated Eamonn Beirne, head of emerging aviation technologies for the UK Department for Transport.

However, Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer and head of strategy for GKN Aerospace highlighted that SAF is possible but needs the right economic conditions. There are huge advances that can be made beyond that as well.

Speaking about the further opportunities in areas such as hydrogen and electric, Dunn added, “Not one of these individual ingredients will meet the requirements for zero-emissions aviation for net-zero 2050. The community must address new technologies, support SAF, and explore emerging technologies such as the use of hydrogen. Yes, there are huge challenges to overcome but they are all within our grasp”.