Airbus Develops Fuel-Cell Engine for Hydrogen Plane

by Tim Hepher (Reuters) Airbus (AIR.PA) has started developing fuel-cell engine technology, it said on Wednesday as it reaffirmed plans to introduce a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035.

The system is one of several options being considered for a potential zero-emission aircraft based on hydrogen, an effective and clean carrier of energy, Airbus said.

It is the first time the world's largest planemaker has branched out into developing engine-related technology, but zero-emission project head Glenn Llewellyn said it would not necessarily go it alone if the system ended up being deployed.

Experts said Airbus was likely to partner with an engine maker if the project comes to fruition, with Airbus focusing on the fuel cell and the engine industry focusing on their core activity of managing power for flight.

Airbus has already partnered with GE/Safran joint-venture CFM International to test an engine fuelled directly by hydrogen.

Hydrogen can be combusted in an engine directly like other fuels, but without creating carbon emissions, or used to create electricity via a fuel cell to drive an electric engine.

The need for large and heavy tanks for the hydrogen fuel and new global infrastructure are among the hurdles.

Airbus said it was looking at both concepts as well as joining forces with carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) to study hybrid-electric technology that is also of interest for aviation.

Rival Boeing (BA.N) has voiced scepticism about the commercial feasibility of hydrogen in aviation. But Airbus said it was pushing ahead with its goal, which has drawn political support in Europe, including some green funding.

Airbus made a series of announcements including a preliminary agreement with Finnish biofuel producer Neste (NESTE.HE) to promote use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which most experts say represents the most promising path to curbing emissions in the near term. They gave no financial details.

Airbus is aiming for a 100-seater "zero-E" plane, sitting below its current portfolio starting at 110 seats, and has said it is looking at various shapes and designs for propulsion.

But it ruled out pressing ahead with a distinctive blended-wing-body shape which has featured in earlier presentations alongside a conventional "tube and wing" shape or a turboprop.

Airbus will start ground and flight testing fuel-cell architecture towards the middle of the decade. READ MORE