American Airlines invests in hydrogen and advanced decarbonization technologies

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2024 / American Airlines

Originally published in American Airlines’ 2023 Sustainability Report

Decarbonising aviation requires short-term action to improve efficiency and significantly expand the use of sustainable fuels. But it also depends on technological advances that enable next-generation aircraft that can be powered by new types of low- and zero-carbon fuel sources. These fuel sources must address some key challenges. First, they must contain the energy needed to power the aircraft engines that carry our passengers and cargo. Second, they must be easily distributed to and transported on the commercial aircraft that will enter service over the next decade. Hydrogen can be a low-carbon energy source when produced using renewable energy. It has the potential to play a central role in decarbonising aviation, but major challenges remain.

How American is helping to accelerate solutions

American supports the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion technology – which uses hydrogen in fuel cells – as well as the future of hydrogen distribution logistics for aviation. We made two strategic investments in ZeroAvia, a pioneer in hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion. In addition, American joined Embraer’s Energia Advisory Group in 2023 to help define performance and design requirements for the new family of low- and zero-emission aircraft. Energia’s aircraft concepts range from nine to 50 seats and are powered by a mix of electric, hydrogen and hybrid propulsion systems.

American also continues to work with its aircraft suppliers and other key aviation stakeholders to support the advancement of additional next-generation aircraft technologies to reduce emissions.

The potential

• Almost three times more energy per unit weight than jet fuel, the most abundant substance in the universe

• The only byproduct of combustion is water vapor

• Green hydrogen – produced with renewable energy – is a low-carbon fuel

• Safe and successful track record as a transport fuel

Necessary measures

1. Investments by aircraft and engine manufacturers in the development of next-generation hydrogen-powered aircraft

2. Collaboration between airports, airlines and hydrogen producers to develop infrastructure

3. Regulatory approval of hydrogen propulsion and distribution technologies, applications and supporting public policies

The challenges

• Requires four times more volume in the aircraft than jet fuel, making it difficult to carry enough fuel for long-haul flights

• Technical and logistical difficulties in delivery to the airport and on board aircraft

• Green hydrogen is currently not cost-competitive compared to other fuels

The story continues

Hydrogen electric motors for emission-free flying

American has partnered with ZeroAvia to advance the development of hydrogen-powered regional jets. ZeroAvia is working to replace conventional engines on existing fixed-wing aircraft with its novel zero-emission hydrogen-electric propulsion system. The propulsion systems use green hydrogen, which is stored in tanks and converted into electricity during flight using a fuel cell, which then powers the electric motors. The green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis – powered by locally generated renewable energy – and stored at or near airports. The only emission during flight is water vapor.

ZeroAvia is working to retrofit and install its powertrains into existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified fixed-wing aircraft, simplifying regulatory requirements and accelerating time to market. In early 2023, ZeroAvia completed the maiden flight of its 19-seat Dornier 228 test aircraft, which was retrofitted with a full-scale hydrogen-electric powertrain on the aircraft’s left wing. Since then, the company has completed 13 test flights and has an active FAA certification application for this powertrain in an aircraft with up to 20 seats.

ZeroAvia’s second class of engines, which will ultimately power regional jets, is under active development. Ground testing of electric propulsion systems and advanced fuel cell technologies is currently underway. The company hopes to expand the technology to narrow-body aircraft over the next decade.

In July 2024, American announced its conditional purchase agreement for 100 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia’s powertrain development program to power regional aircraft.

Advancing other key next-generation aircraft technologies Although hydrogen offers significant long-term potential for decarbonising aviation, achieving net zero emissions by 2050 depends on the development of other shorter-term and more scalable solutions.

American is working with Boeing and NASA as part of a coalition advising on the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project and the development of the X-66A research aircraft. The X-Plane is a full-scale demonstration aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, a so-called transonic truss-braced wing concept. Combined with other advances in propulsion systems, materials and system architecture, the new design could enable up to 30% better fuel burn and lower emissions compared to the current best-in-class aircraft.³

In addition, American has invested in Vertical Aerospace Ltd., which is developing a zero-emissions electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In 2023, Vertical has made significant progress in its work and is one of the few eVTOL developers to have built and flown a full-fledged electric aircraft with thrust vectoring. Vertical has also opened a state-of-the-art battery facility that is developing next-generation battery technology for aviation.

Vertical is the only developer with active certification efforts with five regulatory bodies around the world and last year received the first Design Organisation Approval issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to a listed eVTOL manufacturer, a prerequisite for the VX4 aircraft certification that Vertical aims to receive by the end of 2026.

This year, Vertical will complete assembly of its more advanced VX4 prototype, which will undergo an extensive flight test program.

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³ For more information, visit https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/next-generation-experimental-aircraft-becomes-nasas-latest-x-plane/.