New Energies, new possibilities

Carmaker BMW says hydrogen-based fuel cell technology will remain an important option for low-carbon propulsion systems of passenger cars, challenging the position of its national competitors and the German government regarding the best way to achieve a transition away from fossil fuels in the automotive sector. "Depending on how the surrounding conditions pan out, hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to remain a pillar in the BMW group's portfolio," CEO Oliver Zipse said during a visit by economy minister Peter Altmaier to the carmaker's research headquarters in Munich. Zipse welcomed the fact that the government "has acknowledged the importance of green hydrogen for the energy system of the future" and called for expanding the country's hydrogen fuelling station network to provide for the needs of utility and passenger vehicles alike. During his visit to Munich, Altmaier said the government would provide the right regulatory framework for hydrogen technologies and support companies seeking to develop and employ these. "But making this economically viable is up to the companies themselves," he argued, adding that he was "very glad" that many companies "like BMW have the vision, the courage and the innovative strength" to make hydrogen technology a success.

BMW's approach to introduce fuel cells as a mass product for the passenger car market is at odds with that of Germany's largest carmaker Volkswagen, which has focused on battery-powered vehicles in its bid to make cars more climate friendly. While hydrogen is seen as an important fuel option for heavy duty vehicles and long-haulers, such as lorries or buses, there are doubts over its usefulness for lighter passenger cars due to its low degree of efficiency, as lots of energy is lost in conversion processes when turning electricity from renewable sources into the synthetic fuel with electrolysers.

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/bmw-says-hydrogen-fuel-cells-remain-important-technology-option-passenger-cars

ZeroAvia conducted the first flight of its hydrogen fuel cell six-seat Piper M-Class aircraft on 23 June from Cranfield University’s airfield. The flight was the fist made in the UK in what was described as a ‘commercial-scale’ aircraft powered b hydrogen. The company said it now has plans to develop a ten to 20 seat aircraft certified with hydrogen propulsion within the next three years, and a 50- to 100- seat aircraft by 2030.

The UK Government is working with Cranfield as part of its HyFlyer programme to advance the development of zero-emission aviation. The Piper’s piston engine was replaced by a powertrain consisting of electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, and gas storage. ZeroAvia stated that this combination offered a greater more efficient energy-to-weight ratio than battery-based all-elecric propulsion and will make commercial operations practical far sooner in large aircraft and eVTOL platforms.

ZeroAvia believes that it will have a practical aircraft hydrogen-powered aircraft ready for commercial operations by 2023 carrying up to 500 passengers on flights of around 500nm. It has revealed that operating costs of such an aircraft will also be lower than that of an electric equivalent because the technology does not require the batteries to be replaced.

https://https://www.laranews.net/hydrogen-powered-commercial-aircraft-operations-by-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hydrogen-powered-commercial-aircraft-operations-by-2023

https://fuelcellsworks.com/news/the-kraft-group-scores-a-touchdown-for-sustainability-with-the-addition-of-bloom-energy-servers-to-the-clean-energy-lineup-powering-gillette-stadium/