Airbus unveils concept images of an eco-friendly fleet of the future

Around the world in ZERO emissions: Airbus unveils concept images of an eco-friendly fleet of the future

  •  ZEROe designs are powered by hydrogen and called the turbofan, turboprop and ‘blended-wing body’ plane
  • Airbus claims the three concept planes are the first zero-emission commercial aircraft and will be live by 2035
  • All three would be powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel, and through hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power

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Airbus has revealed a fleet of zero emissions planes which are primarily powered by hydrogen fuel and are carbon neutral. 

Airbus claims the three hydrogen-hybrid concepts will be the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft.

The planes are called the turbofan, turboprop and the blended-wing body and are earmarked to enter service by 2035, Airbus says. 

The turbofan (top), turboprop (bottom), and blended-wing-body (right) configurations are all powered by hydrogen fuel

The turbofan (top), turboprop (bottom), and blended-wing-body (right) configurations are all powered by hydrogen fuel

The turbofan (top), turboprop (bottom), and blended-wing-body (right) configurations are all powered by hydrogen fuel 

The hydrogen-fuelled aircraft could enter service by 2035. Pictured, a concept image of the bizarre looking blended-wing body

The hydrogen-fuelled aircraft could enter service by 2035. Pictured, a concept image of the bizarre looking blended-wing body

The hydrogen-fuelled aircraft could enter service by 2035. Pictured, a concept image of the bizarre looking blended-wing body

Airbus unveiled the three designs of the eco-friendly aircraft, the turbofan, turboprop and the blended-wing body. the turboprop is designed for short haul flights whereas the other two are larger and can carry 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles

Airbus unveiled the three designs of the eco-friendly aircraft, the turbofan, turboprop and the blended-wing body. the turboprop is designed for short haul flights whereas the other two are larger and can carry 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles

Airbus unveiled the three designs of the eco-friendly aircraft, the turbofan, turboprop and the blended-wing body. the turboprop is designed for short haul flights whereas the other two are larger and can carry 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles 

The so-called ZEROe designs represent three different approaches to how technology and aerodynamics could lead to low-carbon commercial flights.

Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said: ‘This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen.

‘The concepts we unveil today offer the world a glimpse of our ambition to drive a bold vision for the future of zero-emission flight.

‘I strongly believe that the use of hydrogen – both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft – has the potential to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact.’

The turbofan design most closely resembles the current image of a regular plane, with an engine sitting on each wing and a standard fuselage. 

It will have a capacity of 200 passengers and, according to Airbus, be able to travel 2,300 miles without the need for refuelling. 

Although this will not allow for flights across the Atlantic, it does cover other transcontinental routes. 

The turboprop however, is designed for short-haul trips and runs on propellers. 

While is has a similar, if smaller, body size, it closely resembles a traditional craft. 

However, the propeller-driven machine will have half the capacity of its bigger brother, the turbofan., with room for little over 100 people and a max journey of around 1,150 miles.  

The most distinctive and radical concept is named the ‘blended-wing body’ plane, which has the wings merging with the main body of the aircraft in a V-shape. 

This has similar statistics to the turbofan but its bizarre shape opens up a host of possibilities with the wide fuselage, which Airbus could make use for extra cabin space, or room for more hydrogen fuel. 

It closely resembles a similar design made by aviation rival KLM, whose Flying V design has started scale tests. 

The Dutch machine is named after Gibson’s famous electric guitar and will carry up to 314 passengers, including some housed within its wings. It uses regular fuel derived from petroleum, but its design will make it 20 per cent more efficient.  

The most distinctive design is named the 'blended-wing body' plane (pictured), which has the wings merging with the main body of the aircraft

The most distinctive design is named the 'blended-wing body' plane (pictured), which has the wings merging with the main body of the aircraft

The most distinctive design is named the ‘blended-wing body’ plane (pictured), which has the wings merging with the main body of the aircraft 

All three planes would be powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel. Airbussays 'These concepts each represent a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight'

All three planes would be powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel. Airbussays 'These concepts each represent a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight'

All three planes would be powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel. Airbussays ‘These concepts each represent a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight’

Airbus says that in order to transition to carbon neutral flight, airports will require significant hydrogen transport and refuelling infrastructure to meet the needs of day-to-day operations

Airbus says that in order to transition to carbon neutral flight, airports will require significant hydrogen transport and refuelling infrastructure to meet the needs of day-to-day operations

Airbus says that in order to transition to carbon neutral flight, airports will require significant hydrogen transport and refuelling infrastructure to meet the needs of day-to-day operations

All three Airbus planes however would be powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel, and through hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power.

This would create a ‘highly efficient hybrid-electric propulsion system’, according to Airbus.

Major investment in refuelling infrastructure at airports would be required for commercial hydrogen-powered planes to be viable.

Mr Faury said: ‘These concepts will help us explore and mature the design and layout of the world’s first climate-neutral, zero-emission commercial aircraft, which we aim to put into service by 2035.

‘The transition to hydrogen, as the primary power source for these concept planes, will require decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem.

‘Together with the support from government and industrial partners we can rise up to this challenge to scale up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry.’

EasyJet and Airbus launched a joint research project last year to consider hybrid and electric aircraft as a way of reducing the environmental impact of aviation.

The airline’s chief executive Johan Lundgren said: ‘EasyJet remains absolutely committed to more sustainable flying and we know that technology is where the answer lies for the industry.

‘We are committed to collaborating on the development of these new technologies – as demonstrated by our partnership with Airbus – with the aim of being an early adopter when they come to market.

‘It is testament to the innovation and drive of this industry that, despite the pandemic and the immense impact it has had on the industry, technological breakthroughs continue to come.

‘One thing is for certain: confidence in the power of disruptive technologies such as electric and hydrogen to reinvent aviation is gaining momentum.’

Airbus claimed its turbofan design (pictured) could carry up to 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles

Airbus claimed its turbofan design (pictured) could carry up to 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles

Airbus claimed its turbofan design (pictured) could carry up to 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles

Airbus claimed its turbofan design could carry up to 100 passengers more than 1,000 miles

Airbus claimed its turbofan design could carry up to 100 passengers more than 1,000 miles

Airbus claimed its turbofan design could carry up to 100 passengers more than 1,000 miles

HOW DO HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS WORK?

Hydrogen fuel cells create electricity to power a battery and motor by mixing hydrogen and oxygen in specially treated plates, which are combined to form the fuel cell stack.

Fuel cell stacks and batteries have allowed engineers to significantly shrink these components to even fit neatly inside a family car, although they are also commonly used to fuel buses and other larger vehicles.

Oxygen is collected from the air through intakes, usually in the grille, and hydrogen is stored in aluminium-lined fuel tanks, which automatically seal in an accident to prevent leaks.

These ingredients are fused, releasing usable electricity and water as byproducts and making the technology one of the quietest and most environmentally friendly available.

Reducing the amount of platinum used in the stack has made fuel cells less expensive, but the use of the rare metal has restricted the spread of their use.

Recent research has suggested hydrogen fuel cell cars could one day challenge electric cars in the race for pollution-free roads, however – but only if more stations are built to fuel them.

Fuel cell cars can be refueled as quickly as gasoline-powered cars and can also travel further between fill-ups.

Fuelling stations cost up to $2 million to build, so companies have been reluctant to build them unless more fuel cell cars are on the road.

The U.S. Department of Energy lists just 34 public hydrogen fuelling stations in the country; all but three are in California. 

According to Information Trends, there were 6,475 FCV’s worldwide at the end of 2017.

More than half were registered in California, which puts the U.S. (53 per cent) at the forefront for FCV adoption.

Japan takes second place with 38 per cent, while Europe is at nine per cent.

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