Summary
- Airbus, Rolls-Royce, easyJet, and other partners have formed the Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance to speed up the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source in aviation.
- The alliance will work with the UK Government and industry stakeholders to develop infrastructure, policy, and safety frameworks for large-scale hydrogen-powered aviation.
- Using hydrogen in aviation has the potential to generate a £34 billion every year boost to the UK economy by 2050, based on easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren. Collaboration and investment are crucial for achieving net-zero emissions within the industry.
Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and easyJet are joining with expert partners to create and promote the usage of hydrogen as a direct fuel source. The newly established Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance goals to speed up the delivery of zero-carbon aviation. Other names joining the group include industry partners Ørsted, GKN Aerospace, and Bristol Airport.
What’s going to the alliance do?
The group will initially be focused on working with the UK Government to develop recent pathways to sustainable hydrogen-powered aviation and promote the critical application of hydrogen technology. The alliance will work with local authorities and the aviation and hydrogen sectors to stipulate the infrastructure, policy, regulatory, and safety frameworks needed for large-scale industrial aviation usage. Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet and first Chair of HIA, estimates the alliance could generate a big boost for the economy:
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock
The aviation industry in the UK employs over 230,000 people and contributes greater than £22 billion on to the country’s economy along with around £34 billion generated by exporting aerospace components.
Why Hydrogen?
Hydrogen has proven to be an up-and-coming alternative fuel option for short-haul aviation, given the actual fact it produces no carbon emissions when used. Widespread usage would require a big investment in research and development and the successful deployment and implementation of the accompanying infrastructure.
Several of the alliance’s members are already investing significantly within the technology. Airbus is developing recent hydrogen-powered aircraft aspiring to enter industrial service in 2035. Rolls-Royce’s existing partnership with easyJet conducted successful ground tests with a hydrogen-powered turbine engine last 12 months. The tests were accomplished with a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A regional aircraft engine and Green hydrogen produced using tidal and wind energy from the Orkney Islands of Scotland. Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer at Rolls-Royce, highlighted how vital working together is to succeed in our climate objectives:
Photo: Rolls-Royce
Several other smaller industry partners are also making significant advancements within the industry. Two such corporations, ZeroAvia and Universal Hydrogen, have already conducted flight tests using aircraft modified to make use of hydrogen-powered engines.
Working with the Government.
The alliance highlighted three key areas the UK Government must concentrate on to assist the country see significant economic advantages and meet decarbonization targets. The primary area is supporting the infrastructure delivery required for the UK to be a worldwide leader. Next on the docket is ensuring the aviation regulatory regime is prepared for the arrival of hydrogen as a primary fuel source. Finally, the group will push for funding for hydrogen aviation research and development over the long run.
Alliance members from other countries are also fully onboard with the policy overhaul plans. Danish energy pioneer Ørsted brings its experience developing and deploying recent technologies with their resulting policy changes to the group. French manufacturer Airbus can be set to bring its expertise within the sector to the table. Sabine Klauke, Chief Technology Officer at Airbus, expressed their excitement to work with UK and international partners to realize a typical objective:
Photo: Airbus
A consultation by the UK Government in 2021 indicated that developing a UK hydrogen economy could support over 9,000 jobs by 2030 and as much as 100,000 jobs by 2050.