Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro Innovations from Chalmers University in Sweden are bringing hydrogen aviation ever closer to reality: by 2045, hydrogen flights could cover distances of 1,200 km, with the first commercial flights expected as early as 2028
©Cranfield University
Can you imagine flying without harmful emissions? The future of aviation might be closer than we think, thanks to rapid advancements in hydrogen flight. The Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden is working on technologies that could revolutionize our skies by 2045.
Cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel
Imagine cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel, with the ability to cover distances up to 746 miles without using fossil fuels. And what if we told you that the first commercial hydrogen flights could take off as early as 2028? This is what Tomas Grönstedt, a professor at Chalmers University of Technology, has stated:
“The commercialization of hydrogen flight could happen very quickly. As early as 2028, the first commercial hydrogen flights in Sweden could be in the air.”
In the wind tunnels of Chalmers, researchers are developing more efficient engines, preparing for safe and efficient flights with heavy hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Hydrogen aviation for short and medium-haul flights
For short and medium-haul flights, hydrogen aviation is the closest to becoming a reality. A study by Chalmers, published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, shows that hydrogen flights could meet 97% of intra-Nordic routes and 58% of Nordic passenger volume by 2045. The study considered a maximum flight distance of 746 miles using a hydrogen-adapted aircraft model. It also introduced a new, lighter, and well-insulated fuel tank to keep the hydrogen liquid.
Innovative heat exchangers to reduce fuel consumption
Heat exchangers are crucial for hydrogen aviation. To keep fuel systems light, hydrogen must be in liquid form at -418°F. Researchers at Chalmers are developing a new type of heat exchanger, currently being patented by GKN Aerospace.
This system uses the low temperature of hydrogen to cool the engines and uses exhaust heat to preheat the fuel. Carlos Xisto, an associate professor at Chalmers, states:
“Every degree of temperature increase reduces fuel consumption and increases range. We have demonstrated that planes equipped with the new heat exchanger could reduce their fuel consumption by nearly 8%.”
Investment and Infrastructure Development
The transition to hydrogen aviation requires significant investments and infrastructure development. In Sweden, the Swedish Hydrogen Development Center (SHDC) innovation cluster brings together key players to develop this technology. During an SHDC seminar, Chalmers researchers presented their work, and several commercial companies announced major investments in hydrogen flights in the coming years. Tomas Grönstedt notes:
“It is predicted that 30%-40% of global aviation will be powered by hydrogen by 2050. For some years, we will have a combination of electrically powered aircraft, less environmentally harmful e-jet fuels, and hydrogen. But every hydrogen-powered aircraft reduces CO2 emissions.”
With a budget of 162 million SEK (approximately $15.2 million), TechForH2 can contribute to developing various research areas related to hydrogen and heavy transport.
