You know: we are driven to use alternative, less expensive and more environmentally friendly energy sources for two reasons. And you know those too: First, the cost of fossil fuels is going up. Second, climate change is becoming increasingly severe.
Among the consistent effects of this need, on the plate is the vertical growth in sales of electric vehicles, a great interest in electric ships and some experimentation for electric planes. In the latter case, the difficulty is much greater, and we will hardly see electric airplanes for passenger transport in the near future, or in any case there will not be many.
In the aircraft field, research is pushing more to find hydrogen-powered aircraft.
A first prototype in 2023
In Australia the Aviation H2 is developing aircraft engines that will use dihydrogen as fuel. The company has just taken an important step towards realizing this type of propulsion. In fact, it has managed to complete the theoretical phase of its goal, which is to create hydrogen-powered aircraft engines to replace current turbojets. A first prototype should be presented within next year.
Convert existing planes?
The interesting part of this project is the fact that its promoters aim to transform the engines of existing aircraft. That would be a big hit: instead of designing new powered devices hydrogen, Aviation H2 seeks to convert the current models already available on the market.
Airlines and other businesses that own heat-engine aircraft are among its intended victims. According to the claims of Dr. Christof Mayer, co-founder of Aviation H2, this will allow owners to obtain the technology at a reduced cost, while continuing to operate with what they already have.
A promising sector
“We are very happy to have completed the research phase and to move on to the development of the first prototype (…) It is essential to use current and verified technology whenever possible. We will start with an operational aircraft and maintain the minimum certification for as long as possible, so that they can modify the aircraft they already own rather than acquire”
Plus: The Australian start-up's hydrogen-powered aircraft engines will allow the aircraft to use virtually all existing licenses.
I am not surprised that Aviation H2 is preparing to raise cash by launching a fundraising campaign. The goal is within his reach, without money the prototype by 2023 would be a pipe dream: I believe they will not have the slightest difficulty in finding them.
