Japan Airlines’ new partners have all completed successful hydrogen-electric flights this year. But challenges remain.
One of Asia’s largest airlines is placing big bets on hydrogen.
In mid-November, Japan Airlines announced a series of deals with global manufacturers of hydrogen-electric aircraft and engines to explore the feasibility of flying emissions-free passenger planes.
These forward-thinking manufacturers are big names in the hydrogen industry and include Germany’s H2Fly, California’s Universal Hydrogen, and the British-American company ZeroAvia. All three have successfully flown hydrogen-powered aircraft this year.
The technology uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity and run electric motors, or hydrogen can be combusted to power engines.
In either case, existing jet engines could be converted to work on hydrogen fuel, and the flights would be carbon-free so long as “green” hydrogen was used, or hydrogen made using renewable energy.
An August study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, a US nonprofit think tank, found hydrogen fuel cells using green liquid hydrogen could reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 88%.
One of Asia’s largest airlines is placing big bets on hydrogen.
In mid-November, Japan Airlines announced a series of deals with global manufacturers of hydrogen-electric aircraft and engines to explore the feasibility of flying emissions-free passenger planes.
These forward-thinking manufacturers are big names in the hydrogen industry and include Germany’s H2Fly, California’s Universal Hydrogen, and the British-American company ZeroAvia. All three have successfully flown hydrogen-powered aircraft this year.
The technology uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity and run electric motors, or hydrogen can be combusted to power engines.
In either case, existing jet engines could be converted to work on hydrogen fuel, and the flights would be carbon-free so long as “green” hydrogen was used, or hydrogen made using renewable energy.
An August study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, a US nonprofit think tank, found hydrogen fuel cells using green liquid hydrogen could reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 88%.
