Fleet of Airbus ‘hydrogen planes of the future’ reveals 100-seat eco-jet that could instantly refuel at airports
A CONCEPT design has been released for a 100-seat commercial hydrogen-powered plane expected to be groundbreaking for sustainable travel.
Hydrogen-powered planes have been teased throughout time, but production has been held back by technology until recently.
The technologies needed to successfully mass-produce safe hydrogen-powered planes have been in the works recently.
As the technologies become more advanced with time, it is grabbing the attention of eager manufacturers who are ready to put money behind them.
This includes France-based aerospace giant Airbus.
Airbus released plans for a massive hydrogen-powered plane that would be used for commercial travel and can hold up to 100 passengers.
“Most technologies required for a hydrogen-powered aircraft are emerging already in other industries and we have been working on this for some time already,” Airbus told The Next Web.
It would be powered by propellers, electric motors, fuel cells, power electronics, liquid hydrogen tanks, cooling systems, and a set of auxiliary equipment.
A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into electricity.
The Airbus concept design has six eight-bladed propellers attached to removable fuel-cell engine pods.
This allows for the pods to be quickly disassembled and reassembled to allow for fast refueling at airports.
Airbus will test the technologies of the hydrogen-powered plane by mounting the hydrogen engines to an A380 testbed, per TNW.
It expects the test version of the plane to take its first flight in the next five years.
Hydrogen-powered planes will be a great move towards sustainable travel that has been long awaited due to the environmental effects of current air travel.
It has also been put on pause due to issues like ensuring fuel supply and infrastructure, along with passing proper regulations for safety.
Hydrogen-powered planes are on track to become a reality faster than ever.
“We’re not starting from scratch. The main challenge will be to certify them to airworthiness standards,” Airbus told TNW.