The U.K.'s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) unveiled a concept Electric ships are also being deployed in Europe as the maritime sector looks to reduce its massive carbon footprint.
With carbon emissions from aviation becoming a massive cause for concern, various companies are trying to address the situation one way or another. While set three new world speed records last month. While hydrogen-powered commercial air travel is still a long way away from becoming a reality, the ATI believes that its concept aircraft can offer a workable solution to the carbon emission problem in the long run.
According to a press release by the U.K.'s government-backed Aerospace Technology Institute, its liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft concept has a range of 5,250 nautical miles and can carry 279 engers. It will reportedly be able to fly from London to San Fransisco, Delhi, Beijing, Vancouver, Mexico City, or Rio De Janeiro non-stop. It will also fly longer routes, such as London to Auckland, Sydney, or Honolulu, with just one stop. The agency further claims that the aircraft will offer the same level of safety, speed, and comfort as traditional jets powered by aviation fuel but without carbon emissions.
Hydrogen Power Might Have To Wait Until Mid-2030s
According to ATI, liquid hydrogen is a lightweight fuel. It has three times the energy of kerosene and sixty times the energy of batteries by mass, making it a great choice as a green energy source for the aviation sector. In the concept aircraft, the liquid hydrogen is stored in cryogenic fuel tanks at around minus 250-degrees Celsius to keep it in the liquid state. The airplane has a 54-meter wingspan and is powered by two turbofan engines that run on hydrogen combustion.
The concept aircraft is part of the U.K.'s FlyZero initiative that seeks to determine the technical and commercial viability of future zero-carbon air travel. Towards that end, aerospace and aviation experts working on the project have zeroed in on hydrogen as the possible fuel source that could help the aviation sector attain that zero-emission goal. According to the ATI, hydrogen-powered airplanes might become operational by the mid-2030s and will even offer better operating economics than the hydrocarbon-powered fleets currently operated by airlines.
Source: ATI (pdf)