American Airlines buys 100 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia

American Airlines signed a purchase agreement recently for 100 hydrogen-powered engines from electric engine manufacturer ZeroAvia . [caption id="attachment_57143999" align="alignright" width="394"] (Courtesy/ZeroAvia)[/caption] The investment will help American reach its sustainability target of net zero by 2050, according to a July 2 release from the airline. Hollister, Calif.-based ZeroAvia is flight testing a prototype 20-seat aircraft with its hydrogen-electric engines, as well as “designing an engine for larger aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ700, which American operates on certain regional routes,” according to the release. The 100 engines ordered by the carrier are expected to be delivered in the next decade and the airline will use them in planes flying regional routes, according to ZeroAvia. Benefits of hydrogen-electric model ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity to power electric motors that turn propulsors with the only byproduct being water, Dominic Weeks , head of external affairs and marketing at ZeroAvia, told Air Cargo Next . “ With drop-in sustainable aviation fuels facing major cost and scalability challenges, electrification is the only path to truly sustainable flight,” Weeks said. “Given that batteries are too heavy and involve high costs for frequent replacements, hydrogen fuel cell systems, which will reduce costs, are the pathway to deliver electric flight for anything larger than the very smallest planes.” ZeroAvia anticipates certification for its first hydrogen-electric engine to fly passengers and cargo within a couple of years, Weeks said. “We plan larger engines, including the variant for regional jets such as those in American’s fleet, by the end of the decade,” he said. American Airlines invested further in ZeroAvia in its series C funding round this month, having first invested in the company in 2022, according to the release. Neither ZeroAvia nor American Airlines disclosed the investment amounts to Air Cargo Next . “Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion,” Robert Isom , chief executive at American Airlines, said in the release. “This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry and uphold our commitment to make American a sustainable airline.” Exploring all options Emissions from aviation account for 3% of global emissions, according to IATA . While sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is commonly accepted as the most reliable way to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, carriers should also explore how new technologies can aid decarbonization and reduce overall costs, Weeks said. “Aviation’s share of climate impact will continue to grow exponentially with passenger growth and the dependence on burning fossil fuels ,” he added. Global SAF production is projected to triple this year to 1.9 billion liters, nowhere near the 450 billion liters needed for the industry to meet its 2050 deadline, according to TIACA . SAF is produced through non-petroleum feedstocks like used cooking oil, agricultural residue, unsallable animal fat and human waste. Hydrogen power has garnered attention in recent years as it could solve both feedstock and cost challenges that come with SAF production, despite its development still being in infancy. But this requires embracing technological advances, Weeks said. “Without technology to tackle all climate-impacting emissions, this will lead to an existential crisis for the industry with curbs and demand management,” Weeks said. Cost reductions through AI ZeroAvia recently launched an AI solution, Smart Hydrogen AI Production Software, or SHAIPS, which can reduce hydrogen costs up to 20%, according to a July 10 release. "SHAIPS will allow the producer to set a limit on the carbon intensity of hydrogen production, meaning the hydrogen can qualify for the most generous subsidies in their geography," according to the release. " Tomorrow’s aviation fuel can be made from water and sunlight with today ’s technology , the only question is cost," Val Miftakhov , founder and chief executive at ZeroAvia, said in the release. "Our advanced software team has delivered a n impactful application that can provide end users in aviation, transport and other industries the clean hydrogen fuel they need to operate , at costs that work for all parties," he said. "It is inevitable that the levelized cost of hydrogen will fall over time , but we are seeking to accelerate that transition through innovation. ”

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