Hydrogen Aviation Summit 2023

In 2023, we witnessed world-first breakthrough flights using hydrogen fuel cells, increasing confidence in the timeline to commercial operations in the next few years. As well as these eye-catching moments of aviation history, behind the scenes tireless work across industry and academia was advancing the potential capacity of fuel cells to support larger and larger aircraft, going further and further.

This session will examine the underlying breakthroughs in fuel cell power generation systems and what this means for the roadmap towards commercialisation.

Hydrogen’s benefits in terms of a lightweight, energy dense fuel are balanced by the relatively poor volumetric energy density when compared with kerosene. Liquid hydrogen is critical in narrowing that delta, but is so far unproven in flight.

With many companies planning market entry of 40+ seat hydrogen powered aircraft this decade, advances in liquid hydrogen refueling and storage technology are critical. This session will explore the current technology readiness of LH2 systems and provide an overview of some of the most exciting R&D projects in this space.

Within battery, hybrid and fuel cell-focused aviation innovation, rapidly advancing electric propulsion technologies are of common importance across a range of applications and methodologies seeking to deliver compelling emissions reduction or a revolution in air mobility.

Multi-MW fuel cell systems for aviation are coming, and weight-optimized, hyper-efficient, aerospace-ready electric propulsion systems are advancing in support. The impact on air mobility and other transport sectors can be immense. What are the limitations on electric propulsion systems? Where are the big engineering challenges that might put the brakes on motor and power electronics? How can development be accelerated with the use of digital twin and AI technologies?

Retrofit of innovative zero-emission engines potentially offers a quicker route to market, and thus a more imminent solution to tackle a slice of aviation’s carbon emissions. But cleansheet design can maximize the impact of hydrogen propulsion solutions, and will be essential for aircraft of certain size.

How far can retrofit solutions go and where is the limit? What promising airframe design efficiencies will we see enhancing the benefits of hydrogen flight? Can all aircraft ultimately fly on hydrogen?

The first day of the Hydrogen Aviation Summit will provide a picture of the technology progression and timeline to the first certified engines and aircraft. Here, panelists will explore how soon these aircraft can be up and running on commercial routes to start removing emissions from travel and transport.

What are the challenges and opportunities for introducing small aircraft (the first to be available zero-emission) onto commercial routes? Where are the major investments needed on flying hardware and ground refueling infrastructure? What more can the sector and governments do to accelerate adoption?

Regional turboprops such as the ATR and Dash 8 series are potential targets for passenger operations within the decade. When clean aircraft can carry well above 50 passengers over 500 nautical miles, transitioning polluting flights to zero-emission options across regions or even intra and inter-national, becomes viable.

Policies are aligning to support industry in driving this forward. Across the EU, member states are already seeking to address the aviation sector’s emissions, driven by their own net zero targets or the EU’s Fit for 55 push. The UK’s Jet Zero Strategy targets net zero domestic aviation by 2040, Sweden’s ambition is 2030. With U.S. Hydrogen Hubs promising large-scale production, delivering fuel for passenger transport at regional scale is increasingly viable within the next few years.

What effect can these technologies have on galvanizing the regional aviation market? Will reduced operating costs overcome capital expenditure hesitations? What will be the first region to eradicate fossil fuel aircraft from its internal air routes? With lower operating costs, can operators size down from narrowbody aircraft, or will they wait for the technology to advance further?

The panel will look at the drivers, aspirations and considerations for all players – from regional and national governments, to airlines and airports and, ultimately, to passengers.

A charge often leveled at zero-emission innovators is that regional aviation accounts for a small slice of emissions and that drop-in fuels are the only option when it comes to larger aircraft responsible for the majority of emissions. Yet the Aerospace Technology Institute’s FlyZero report envisaged delivery of even a mid-sized widebody aircraft capable of flying half way around the world in the mid 2030s, powered by hydrogen combustion.

Can fuel cell technology scale to support narrowbody aircraft? If so, how long will it take and is airframe redesign necessary? Is hybridization of hydrogen concepts a potential interim step? What are the technical and operational challenges associated with transitioning the narrowbody workhorses of short and medium-haul aviation to a cleaner future?