Flying with hydrogen.

The aviation industry is urgently looking for alternative fuels, because the kerosene that has been used up to now is damaging to the environment and climate. However, pure electric motors are not a realistic option for aircraft: The batteries required for a medium or long-haul flight would be far too heavy. “Green” hydrogen, on the other hand, is proving to be a promising option: It is produced from renewable resources and burns in gas turbines without CO₂ emissions or soot particles.

We are working to ensure that this climate-friendly alternative can be used in practice as quickly as possible: At the German Aerospace Center (DLR), our scientists are researching the behavior of hydrogen during combustion.

Its use as a fuel for gas turbines or as an energy source for electric motors is conceivable. For example, DLR is developing propulsion systems with outputs in the megawatt range. These are ideally suited for short and medium-haul aircraft with up to 50 passengers, as well as for air taxis. At the same time, we also want to reduce the costs for alternative engines. The innovative fuels also require new or adapted supply routes, and the processes at airports also have to be reconsidered.

In order to put these diverse innovations into practice, we work closely with other organizations and companies in the aviation industry. This is how we will ensure that measures to tackle climate change will succeed in aviation too.

Image: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)