Future Prospects for Fuel-Cell Aircraft: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

To achieve the European Union’s goals of reducing CO₂ and nitrogen oxide emissions on the one hand, and good connectivity and fast transportation methods on the other hand, a technological breakthrough in aircraft technology must be achieved. In the category of small regional aircraft, a fuel cell aircraft represents a possible solution. The first prototypes of fuel cell aircraft have already completed their maiden flights. Nevertheless, the road to commercialization of the fuel cell aircraft is still long. Although fuel cell aircraft can boast with advantages such as the high energy density of hydrogen fuel and no emissions except the water vapor, many challenges still need to be overcome, such as insufficient or non-existent ground infrastructure, technological readiness, safety issues, and economic viability. This talk will present the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cell aircraft compared to convection aircraft and other solutions and discuss the prospects for future commercialization of regional fuel cell aircraft.