KTH develops the future aircraft engine
KTH participates in a project that develops the future aircraft engine. "H2Jet" has received SEK 15 million from the Swedish Energy Agency to develop critical components for hydrogen propulsion with gas turbine-based aircraft engines.
The ambition of Europe's aviation industry is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. For that, aviation must find alternative propulsion solutions and replace today's fossil-based fuel. A transition from today's aviation kerosene to hydrogen can reduce the aviation industry's carbon dioxide emissions by 50-90 percent.
A project consisting of KTH, GKN Aerospace in Trollhättan, Chalmers, Lund University, University of the West, RISE, and Oxeon will now develop several technical solutions for three crucial subsystems for hydrogen-powered aircraft engines for civilian medium-haul aircraft.
In the future, Jens Fridh hopes that the project will contribute to improved chances of funding in EU applications for hydrogen aircraft engines, for KTH, and specifically for the Department of Energy Technology.
"It's an exciting time right now in the air transport sector where electric options are not as obvious as for land-based transport. The effects and amounts of energy required to lift and transport aircraft over long distances are simply very high. There, hydrogen airplanes are part of a future hydrogen-based society. And of course, we’re talking about green hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water, with renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and water. Within the field of electrolysis, we experience an exciting development and commercialization in the world for land-based power plants”, says Jens Fridh.
Text: Anna Gullers