Airbus // Universal Registration Document 2023
1. Information on the Company’s Activities
1.2 Non-Financial Information
1
Hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft ambition by 2035 The Company believes hydrogen is one of the most promising technologies for reducing aviation’s climate impact. If produced from low carbon electricity through electrolysis, it allows a significant reduction in overall emissions. Aviation will be an end use application of hydrogen. The Company sees two primary uses for hydrogen: - - Hydrogen can be used to directly power the aircraft by being combusted through modified gas-turbine engines or converted into electric power via fuel cells. The combination of both would create an efficient hybrid electric propulsion chain powered entirely by hydrogen. - - Hydrogen can be used to create eFuels (power-to-liquid or power-biomass-to-liquid synthetic fuels in combination with carbon from biomass or enhanced carbon sink sources). From hydrogen propulsion to hydrogen-based synthetic SAF, from pod configuration to blended-wing aircraft, the Company is evaluating, maturing and validating radical technological breakthroughs. In 2020 the Company revealed three different hydrogen- powered “ZEROe” concept aircraft. They illustrate the research that the Company is investing in with the objective to bring a hydrogen powered commercial aircraft to market in 2035.
Progress was made in key areas in 2023, including: › › The iron pod of a first fuel cell powered engine was tested in the EAS test house and reached 1.2MW. This is the power needed by one engine in the Company’s six pod configuration concept. › › In May 2023, ArianeGroup, a joint venture between the Company and Safran, successfully completed a proof-of-concept of a hydrogen “conditioning system” adapted to power an aircraft turbine engine. The project known as HyPERION is an essential building block of the hydrogen technology roadmap to 2035. › › In June 2023, the Company launched HyPower, a demonstrator programme which will explore, on the ground and in flight, a new architecture for the generation of non propulsive energy through the use of hydrogen fuel cells. This energy represents around 5% of an aircraft’s total energy used. › › In August 2023, the Company, BMW Group and Quantinuum developed a hybrid quantum-classical workflow to speed up future research using quantum computers to simulate quantum systems, focusing on the chemical reactions of catalysts in fuel cells. › › Blue Condor took off for the first time in November 2023. This demonstrator will study and assess the impact of non-CO 2 emissions induced by hydrogen combustion.
Foster hydrogen ecosystem readiness The Company seeks to go beyond technology maturation by collaborating with the wider ecosystem, and focusing primarily on the evolution of market needs and how they can be answered with renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. It has engaged in many partnerships, as well as collaborations and alliances with airports, airlines and energy providers. Hydrogen can only become a substantial decarbonisation lever with the support of all stakeholders. › › In 2019, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding with airlines such as SAS Scandinavian Airlines and easyJet to jointly research a hydrogen-powered aircraft ecosystem and its infrastructure requirements. › › It has joined several major hydrogen alliances, such as the Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, and European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. It has launched in 2020 a joint-venture with ElringKlinger in order to benefit from the huge cross-industry experience of other industries, and accelerate its ambition. › › It also participates in The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, France Hydrogène, French Conseil National de l’Hydrogène , and the German Wasserstoffrat. › › The Company promotes the “H2 Hub at airport” concept in which partners will join forces to adapt the infrastructure to the use of hydrogen by aircraft, and more. In this context, it has signed partnerships with Delta, Wizz Air, Linde, Air Liquide, Changi Airport / Caas, Korean Air, Incheon Airport, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kansai Airport, Plug Power, Fortescue Future Industries, ANA, Air New Zealand, Christchurch International Airport, Hiringa, Fabrum, Hamburg Airport, Vinci, Engie, AREC, group ADP, Bristol Airport, Hynamics, Hydrogen South West, SAVE SNAM and Milan Airport.
87 Airbus Annual Report
Universal Registration Document 2023
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