A new development platform for the use of hydrogen in the aviation industry has been set up in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburg Airport, together with the City of Hamburg, Lufthansa Technik, the German Aviation Centre (DLR) and Center for Applied Aeronautical Research (ZAL), is exploring the use of hydrogen technology in the sector.
The pilot project aims to design and test maintenance and ground processes related to the use of hydrogen in aviation. For this purpose, the parties are converting an Airbus A320 into a stationary laboratory at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg.
Maintenance and ground processes
There is growing interest in the use of hydrogen as a fuel in the aviation sector; aircraft manufacturers are increasingly betting on it. The German research project focuses specifically on the impact of hydrogen use on maintenance and ground processes. The project should lead to a joint demonstration facility, which should be operational from 2022.
Hamburg municipality is investing in the project. "Hamburg is not only one of the three largest aviation clusters worldwide, but last year it also developed the vision of becoming a major hydrogen metropolis," explains Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg's senator for economy and innovation. "I therefore see this as a logical and momentous step that combines these two core competences of Hamburg. The port, energy sector, industry and entire mobility sector are involved and preparing for this pioneering technology. With this project, we are also making an essential contribution to transforming the aviation industry into a climate-neutral mobility solution of the future. The clear goal is to build a hydrogen economy in Hamburg, which will become an international leader."
Airbus A320 converted into lab
The project is divided into phases. The first phase should be completed by the end of 2021. The track aims to identify the most pressing areas where developments are needed. Based on this, the parties involved will develop a concept for field testing. Practical implementation of the project is scheduled for early 2022. This will involve converting a decommissioned Airbus A320 into a stationary laboratory, for which the aircraft will be fitted with a hydrogen infrastructure.
The DLR is simultaneously developing a virtual environment for digital mapping of different development areas. This environment should lead to highly accurate virtual models from which many measured values are available. This environment is expected to contribute to the development of the next generation of aircraft.
Different areas of expertise
The parties involved each bring their own expertise. For instance, Lufthansa Technik has a lot of experience in maintaining and modifying commercial aircraft. It is also in frequent contact with airlines and therefore brings in the customer's perspective. DLR makes its expertise in hydrogen available and focuses on developing the virtual environment.
ZAL has expertise in fuel cells and digital mapping of processes. Hamburg Airport approaches the project from an airport perspective. And defines, among other things, requirements for ground processes related to future hydrogen aircraft.
Synthetic paraffin
Earlier this year, Shell and KLM carried out a pilot project using synthetic kerosene produced from hydrogen. This fuel is suitable for existing aircraft engines and simultaneously reduces aviation’s environmental impact. During the trial, 500 litres of sustainable synthetic kerosene were blended with traditional kerosene. This fuel was used on a flight from Schiphol to Madrid in Spain.
Shell along with a series of other companies also invested in March in the startup ZeroAvia, which is dedicated to developing hydrogen-powered aircraft. The company raised a total of $24.3 million from investors. The investment follows previous investment; the startup also raised nearly $38 million from investors in late 2020. For now, ZeroAvia is focusing on relatively small aircraft; the largest model so far accommodates 20 people. With the help of the investment, the startup aims to scale up to larger aircraft with at least 50 seats.
89% of all flights in EU on hydrogen and electricity
In a recent report, Deloitte highlights the importance of hydrogen and electricity as fuels for aeroplanes. Electricity is the cleanest option here; according to the report, battery-powered aeroplanes produce no emissions. At the same time, their range is limited to 500 kilometres, which restricts their usability. Hydrogen offers a solution and enables longer distances. Both aircraft that run entirely on hydrogen and hybrid aircraft reduce emissions and thus their impact on the environment. According to Deloitte, hydrogen and electricity are suitable for 89 per cent of all passenger flights within the European Union (EU).
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Pixabay / Free-Photos
