After a brief period of relative stability, the hydrogen for energy and transportation sector is experiencing another wave of failures.
Hyzon recently admitted its struggles, and now Universal Hydrogen, an aerospace startup with ambitious plans for hydrogen-powered flight, has followed suit.
Universal Hydrogen’s Ill-Fated Concept
Founded in 2020 by former Airbus and United Technologies CTO Paul Eremenko and Jon Gordon, Universal Hydrogen aimed to decarbonize aviation with hydrogen fuel.
Despite securing over $85 million in funding, their concept of using Nespresso-like pods filled with hydrogen for aircraft was fundamentally flawed from the start.
Compressed Hydrogen: A Non-Starter for Aviation
The company attempted to fit hydrogen into Unit Load Devices (ULDs), or baggage containers, for easy transport.
However, the physics of hydrogen severely limited the potential range, and operational challenges presented a significant barrier. It’s worth noting that Universal Hydrogen opted for compressed hydrogen, an unsuitable choice for aviation.
Insufficient Range and Payload Capacity
Calculations reveal the stark limitations of Universal Hydrogen’s approach. Even with high-tech composite tanks, an ATR 72 regional turboprop could only carry enough hydrogen for about 2.5 hours of flight time, significantly reducing range.
Moreover, the weight of the tanks would drastically limit payload capacity, leaving room for only a fraction of the passengers the aircraft is designed to carry.
Operational and Safety Challenges
The logistics of using hydrogen as fuel for aircraft presented numerous challenges. The tanks would need to be constantly cycled through charging, transport, and storage, adding complexity and cost.
The high pressure of the hydrogen posed significant safety risks, requiring specialized training and handling. Additionally, the lack of a reliable hydrogen odorant for fuel cells raised concerns about leak detection.
Certification Hurdles and Financial Impracticability
The safety risks associated with hydrogen in aviation necessitate stringent safety measures throughout the manufacturing, maintenance, and operational processes, leading to exorbitant certification costs.
Combined with reduced passenger capacity, higher fuel prices, and increased personnel costs, the financial viability of Universal Hydrogen’s concept was severely compromised.
Predictable Failure and Lessons Learned
Universal Hydrogen’s failure after spending $85 million was inevitable due to the fundamental limitations of hydrogen for aviation.
The company’s inability to overcome the challenges of range, payload, safety, and cost highlights the need for realistic assessments of hydrogen’s potential in the aviation industry. It also underscores the importance of investing in proven solutions like sustainable aviation fuel, which offers a more practical and sustainable path towards decarbonizing aviation.