With air travel contributing to 3.5 percent of all global CO2 emissions, aircraft manufactures Boeing have announced plans to develop an all-new, emission-free, hydrogen-powered plane.
Boeing scientists in Madrid have adapted lightweight aircraft the Diamond Dimona (pictured) to be powered by British company Intelligent Energy’s hydrogen fuel cells and electric motors, which results in almost silent running and zero carbon emissions while in flight. Problems of power consumption are remedied by the use of backup batteries, which are then recharged during the flight.
However, the technology is currently in its infancy, as Intelligent Energy’s director of communications stressed. “The secret lies in making a fuel cell powerful enough to get an aircraft off the ground and to keep it climbing. That takes a huge amount of energy and it is a big obstacle.”
The Boeing test aircraft, which is scheduled to make its first flight in the next year, will also travel at a rather meagre 70 miles-per-hour, suggesting that a lot more research and development will need to be done before commercial operations are viable.
Scientists must also overcome the difficulties in sourcing ‘green’ hydrogen, as current methods of generating the gas produce significant quantities of carbon dioxide.
Despite these initial problems, Boeing believe that the project could reap great rewards in the future. “What we are designing is a demonstrator aircraft to see if it can be done. This technology is in its infancy but it has great potential.” Said a spokesperson for the company.
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