Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft: Hydrogen–electric hybrid propulsion for aviation

Gao, Yuan; Jausseme, Charles; Huang, Zhen; Yang, Tao

Abstract

The ever-increasing demand for passenger air travel means unprecedented aircraft market growth in the coming decades. However, large airline fleets lead to serious environmental concerns. A clear goal was set during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26): securing global net-zero emissions by midcentury while keeping 1.5 °C of temperature rise within reach. Hydrogen (H2) propulsion technology provides one of the most promising opportunities to meet this target and decarbonize global aviation. Thus, this article reviews and collates state-of-the-art research related to H2-electric hybrid aircraft. After introducing the potential benefits of H2 propulsion, fuel cell (FC) auxiliary power in airplanes and H2 FC-powered aircraft are discussed. Finally, challenges/recommendations for future research as well as an outlook on H2-powered aircraft are presented.

Citation

Gao, Y., Jausseme, C., Huang, Z., & Yang, T. (2022). Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft: Hydrogen–electric hybrid propulsion for aviation. IEEE Electrification Magazine, 10(2), 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1109/MELE.2022.3165725

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 10, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 10, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Deposit Date: Nov 19, 2024
• Journal: IEEE Electrification Magazine
• Electronic ISSN: 2325-5897
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 17-26
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MELE.2022.3165725
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/35447808
• Publisher URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9794396