Liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft entering service in 2035 could contribute to aviation’s 2050 climate goals but with performance penalties relative to fossil-fuel aircraft.
That’s according to a new report from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which states that evolutionary liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft could cap, but not absolutely reduce, aviation CO2 compared to 2035 levels.
Published today (Jan 26), the Performance Analysis of Evolutionary Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft paper does, however, suggest that liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft will be heavier, with an increased maximum take-off mass, and less efficient, with a higher energy requirement per revenue-passenger-kilometre.
That being said, ICCT predicts that liquid hydrogen-powered narrow-body aircraft could transport 165 passengers up to 3,400 km and liquid hydrogen-powered turboprop aircraft could transport 70 passengers up to 1,400km, making it an ideal solution for short haul flights.
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