Tag: Airbus

Vattenfall joins Airbus and partners to pave the way for hydrogen aviation

Stuart Mitchell

This cooperation will provide better understanding of hydrogen aircraft concepts and operations, supply, infrastructures and refueling needs at airports in order to help develop this hydrogen aviation ecosystem in both countries. The work will also identify the pathways to select which airports will be transformed to operate hydrogen-powered aircraft in both countries as well as the accompanying regulatory framework. This is a first step with a one year feasibility study that covers two countries and more than 50 airports. It reflects the partners’ shared ambition to use their respective expertise…

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First ZEROe engine fuel cell successfully powers on

Stuart Mitchell

In late 2023, the ZEROe teams powered on the iron pod, the future hydrogen-propulsion system designed for Airbus’ electric concept aircraft. As well as the hydrogen fuel cell system, the iron pod contains the electric motors needed to spin a propeller and the units that control and keep them cool. Its successful power on at 1.2 megawatts is a pivotal step on Airbus’ ZEROe roadmap to put a hydrogen-propulsion aircraft into service by 2035. The power of the world’s most abundant element In 2020, Airbus shared four hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts…

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Airbus opens new ZEROe Development Center in Stade for innovative hydrogen technologies

Stuart Mitchell

Airbus is strengthening its presence in Germany with the opening of a ZEROe Development Centre (ZEDC) for hydrogen technologies at its Stade site. The centre will accelerate the development of composite hydrogen-system technologies for storing and distributing cryogenic liquid hydrogen. Airbus has long been a pioneer in composite technologies in Germany, both in materials and manufacturing processes. A priority for the Stade ZEDC is the development of cost-competitive lightweight Hydrogen systems (e.g. cryogenic Hydrogen tank) in composites. The technology development will cover the product and industrial capabilities from elementary parts,…

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Airbus renews its transatlantic fleet with lower-emission ships

Stuart Mitchell

Airbus will renew the entire fleet of chartered vessels that transport aircraft subassemblies between production facilities in Europe and the United States with three modern, low-emission roll-on/roll-off vessels, supported by wind-assisted propulsion. Airbus has commissioned shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to build, own and operate these new, highly efficient vessels that will enter into service from 2026. The new fleet is expected to reduce average annual transatlantic CO2 emissions from 68,000 to 33,000 tonnes by 2030. This will contribute to Airbus’ commitment to reduce its overall industrial emissions by up to…

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Contrail-chasing Blue Condor makes Airbus’ first full hydrogen-powered flight

Stuart Mitchell

The modified glider at the centre of Airbus UpNext’s hydrogen contrail-studying experiment, Blue Condor, made its first hydrogen-powered flight over Nevada in the United States on 8 November. The flight was the company’s first ever to use hydrogen as the sole fuel source, and it kicked off a test campaign that will conclude in a contrail-measuring mission in early 2024. Hydrogen offers aviation a path to low-carbon operations, yet its combustion produces contrails just like conventional jet fuel. Hydrogen contrails, however, differ significantly. They don’t contain soot or sulphur oxides,…

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