The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published findings from its Hydrogen Challenge, as well as a brand-new Hydrogen roadmap detailing how hydrogen technologies could be introduced into UK aviation.
The Hydrogen Challenge sought to bring together both the regulator industry and academia to explore the potential of hydrogen powered aircraft, airport operations and supporting infrastructure, its efficiencies, risks and the identification of possible gaps in existing regulations.
Upon completion; evidence was generated from 11 different projects touching on each part of the aviation ecosystem, including airports and engines, with results expected to aid the regulator in the development of regulatory framework needed to support hydrogen’s safe introduction.
Progress within the challenge has now led to release of the CAA’s new hydrogen roadmap, which sets out a pathway for the regulator to support scaling hydrogen operations for small aircraft by 2035.
In total, three organisations completed a set of real-world hydrogen demonstrations and trials, including:
- Exeter Airport – using hydrogen powered ground vehicles to complete a zero-carbon aircraft turnaround
- Cranfield Aerospace Solutions – using hydrogen fuel cells to power its Stingray high endurance, high range, high altitude UAS drones
- Rolls Royce, in partnership with easyJet – successfully modified a Pearl 15 engine to run on 100% hydrogen to take-off-thrust and across a fully simulated flight cycle
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director, Future Safety and Innovation, at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:The development of hydrogen technology in aviation could increase the availability of cleaner aviation fuel for the sector.
The next decade is going to be transformative for this technology.
Through the Hydrogen Challenge, we have worked closely with industry to shape the regulations needed to safely introduce new ways to fuel how we fly.
The Hydrogen Sandbox forms part of the Civil Aviation Authorities Hydrogen Challenge programme, which aims to support innovation while ensuring high safety levels.
