The aviation industry is estimated to contribute 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and that percentage is expected to double by 2050, underscoring the need to make aviation more sustainable. Prospects for meeting emission targets in this sector through use of hydrogen-based propulsion technology was explored by researchers from the University of the West of Scotland, U.K. and Premium Aerotec Ghimbav (Airbus) in Romania.

The Simulink computational tool was used to model and analyze power requirements, fuel consumption, propulsion efficiency and emissions from a regional aircraft, the ATR 72-600, retrofitted with different propulsion systems. These encompassed conventional jet fuel, direct hydrogen combustion and hydrogen fuel cells.

As reported in the International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, fuel mass was observed to be significantly reduced in aircraft equipped with direct hydrogen combustion systems or fuel cells. The latter achieve a 50% reduction while direct hydrogen combustion delivers an 80% reduction compared to traditional jet fuel.

Such efficiency is attributed to the higher energy density of hydrogen compared to conventional jet fuel. However, these gains may be countered by the increased weight from hydrogen storage, which negatively impacts overall aircraft performance.