Hydrogen Flight Cleared for Take-Off

New studies from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden are paving the way for a revolutionary shift in air travel. According to these studies, by 2045, almost all air travel within a 750-mile radius (1200 km) could be accomplished using hydrogen-powered aircraft. Furthermore, with the development of a novel heat exchanger currently underway, this range could potentially be extended even further.

"If everything falls into place, the commercialization of hydrogen flight can progress rapidly. As early as 2028, we could see the first commercial hydrogen flights taking off in Sweden," says Tomas Grönstedt, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology and Director of the competence center TechForH2* at Chalmers.

Inside the state-of-the-art Chalmers wind tunnels, researchers are actively testing airflow conditions to advance energy-efficient engines. These engines are crucial in enabling safe and efficient hydrogen flight for heavy-duty vehicles, marking a significant step forward in sustainable aviation technology.

Hydrogen-powered aviation is on the brink of becoming a reality, particularly for short and medium-range flights. A recent study conducted at Chalmers reveals that hydrogen-powered flights have the potential to cater to 97 percent of all intra-Nordic flight routes and 58 percent of the Nordic passenger volume by 2045.

The study, led by doctoral student Christian Svensson in Tomas Grönstedt's research group, assumed a maximum flight distance of 750 miles and the utilization of an existing aircraft model adapted for hydrogen power. Additionally, the study introduced a new fuel tank designed to store sufficient fuel, insulate the super-cold liquid hydrogen effectively, and weigh less than conventional fossil-based fuel tank systems.