Hydrogen Aviation Takes Flight: Safran, Air Liquide, and Turbotech Showcase Engine Breakthrough

Hydrogen Aviation Takes Flight: Safran, Air Liquide, and Turbotech Showcase Engine Breakthrough

January 15, 2025 0 By Bret Williams

Successful Ground Demonstration Marks Major Progress

A hydrogen-fueled gas turbine engine developed through the collaborative efforts of Safran, Air Liquide, and Turbotech has successfully completed its ground demonstration for aviation. This achievement represents a critical step in demonstrating how hydrogen can serve as a clean propulsion solution for light aircraft. Conducted at Toussus-le-Noble, France, the test harnessed liquid hydrogen stored in a cryogenic tank to create a fully integrated propulsion system.

This second stage of testing follows earlier trials in January 2024, where gaseous hydrogen was used to assess the engine’s baseline functionality. Fast-forwarding to September 2024, the system incorporated a cryogenic storage tank designed by Air Liquide, enabling the evaluation of the complete hydrogen propulsion system under operational conditions.

Damien Fauvet, CEO of Turbotech, encapsulated the importance of the project, stating that the goal was not only to match the energy density of conventional aviation fuels but also to address hurdles related to retrofitting, operability, and certification. His sentiments were echoed by Safran’s Pierre-Alain Lambert, Vice President of Hydrogen Programs, who emphasized the potential of zero-emission light aircraft powered by hydrogen technologies.

Air Liquide Aviation

Image Credit: Air Liquide Press

Cutting-Edge Technology Fuels Innovation

The aeroengine itself operates on a regenerative cycle, improving its thermal efficiency and performance—critical factors for lightweight aviation applications. Meanwhile, Air Liquide’s state-of-the-art cryogenic hydrogen storage system maintains the liquid fuel at approximately -250°C, ensuring energy density suitable for aviation requirements.

Safran has been bolstering its hydrogen innovation roadmap through initiatives like the Explore H2 program. This initiative invites startups and research organizations to join forces in tackling hydrogen engineering challenges, from flow management in hydrogen-based turbines to thermal regulation and real-time diagnostics for fuel cells. By fostering this ecosystem, Safran aligns collaborative innovation with the push for sustainable aviation.

Air Liquide, a hydrogen pioneer with over six decades of expertise, has been instrumental in scaling hydrogen solutions across industries. Its cryogenic storage technology, initially refined through industrial and aerospace applications, adds immense value to decarbonizing mobility sectors. Demonstrations like this tie into broader projects advising on hydrogen’s integration into both the aviation and heavy transport sectors.

Accelerating Decarbonization in Aviation

Hydrogen as a fuel presents unique advantages for aviation. Unlike kerosene, hydrogen is carbon-neutral at the point of use, emitting only water vapor during combustion. This positions hydrogen as a key alternative to achieve the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Furthermore, hydrogen can accommodate longer flight ranges when stored in liquid form. However, adapting aircraft to hydrogen propulsion requires managing its unique properties, including its low boiling point and high flammability. Safran and its partners are addressing these engineering challenges head-on through exploratory projects such as H2TECH and BeautHyFuel.

Testing and certifying these propulsion systems is no small feat—as these systems will eventually need integration into existing aviation infrastructures. Leading this charge, Daher and Elixir Aviation bring expertise in aircraft development, certification, and manufacturing, creating pathways for hydrogen-powered light aircraft.

Recent Expansion of Hydrogen Ecosystems

Beyond the success of this recent demonstration, Safran and Air Liquide continue driving innovation in the hydrogen economy. Air Liquide, for instance, recently launched high-pressure hydrogen refueling stations, including Europe’s first for heavy-duty transport. These technologies have direct relevance to aviation, where rapid refueling and onboard hydrogen storage are vital considerations. Safran, meanwhile, has been collaborating with startups within its Explore H2 program to accelerate the maturation of hydrogen-fueled systems globally.

The two companies are also exploring broader cross-sector synergies to decarbonize industry and transportation. Air Liquide has pioneered electrolyzer technologies to produce low-carbon hydrogen at scale, including a 20MW electrolyzer deployed in Germany in 2024, injecting hydrogen directly into industrial supply chains.

Applying Hydrogen Technology Today and Future Timelineshydrogen news ebook

The success of the BeautHyFuel project is a vital stepping stone toward establishing hydrogen as a primary fuel for the aviation sector. While aviation will require several years of further testing, certification, and scalability efforts, the core technologies demonstrated now can already be applied to adjacent domains. Hydrogen mobility solutions for heavy-duty road transport and public transit, for example, are scaling rapidly and can benefit from advances in storage and combustion systems showcased here.

Likewise, hydrogen infrastructure projects such as refueling stations and cryogenic storage facilities prepare the groundwork for future aviation adoption. Airports worldwide can begin integrating hydrogen capabilities into ground operations, much like Air Liquide and Groupe ADP are doing in their Hydrogen Airport ventures.

Projections suggest that retrofit plans using hydrogen propulsion could see light aircraft commercially operative by the 2030s. Large-scale aviation, meanwhile, will likely see hydrogen technology paired with hybrid-electric systems as a transitional solution. Between now and then, continued investment in innovation, certification methodologies, and infrastructure will be crucial.

Harnessing hydrogen’s potential today requires strategic collaboration across industries, innovative integration into current systems, and alignment on regulatory frameworks. These combined efforts could accelerate the vision of carbon-neutral aviation, contributing to a more sustainable global transportation network.

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