By: GenH2 Staff
Read Time: 2 minutes

Over the past century, airplanes have played an essential role in the timely transport of people and goods, establishing themselves as an integral part of our society. In the modern world, airline travel continues to have a crucial influence on global economics and infrastructure, with demand expected to increase as time goes on. According to a report, the global number of annual flights is estimated to soon exceed the nearly 40 million recorded in 2019, meaning that over 95 billion gallons of non-renewable fuels could be used yearly. The airline industry is actively addressing incorporating renewable alternative fuel choices. The choice to use liquid hydrogen is the best method to ensure the industry becomes sustainable and eco-friendly while addressing continued performance and increasing global supply chain efficiency.

Advancements in both sustainable energy and aviation have led the way for liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier for aircraft becoming a viable contender solution for future air travel. For example, combining the efforts of six companies, the European project, HEAVEN, recently had its first successful test flight using an integrated liquid hydrogen storage system onboard its aircraft, the HY4. Future goals of this project include scaling up the technology to accommodate 40-seater aircraft, and redefining how we traverse the skies.

Liquid hydrogen serves as the most beneficial alternative energy carrier for aircraft due to its enhanced purity and energy density. Aircraft companies like ZeroAvia are directly addressing the integration of hydrogen by developing the first practical zero-emission aviation powertrain to replace conventional combustion engines. To reduce time to market, retrofitting combustion engine aircraft is being utilized for demonstration in transition, while partnering with companies to advance their zero-emission aviation powertrain technologies. ZeroAvia recently announced an MOU partnership with GenH2 in support of developing airside LH2 supply infrastructure solutions. Hydrogen’s ability to be infinitely renewable and eco-friendly also ensures that the environment remains safe while allowing industries like the airline industry to reach zero-emission goals and retain the value chain, allowing us to keep and advance our current methods of shipping and traveling.

GenH2’s mission is to create infrastructure solutions for the light-scale liquefaction and storage of hydrogen. Providing a liquid hydrogen supply infrastructure for aerial vehicles powered by hydrogen is included in GenH2’s mission. To learn more about how GenH2 revolutionizes light-scale hydrogen liquefaction and storage, see our press release of the LS20 Mobile Liquid Hydrogen System!