Airbus and Kawasaki Join Forces to Build Hydrogen-Powered Aviation Ecosystem
Key Ideas
- Airbus and Kawasaki signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on building a hydrogen-powered ecosystem for aviation, covering production, transportation, and transfer aspects.
- The partnership aims to address challenges, define containment plans, and pioneer the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure, focusing on Airport Hydrogen Hubs.
- Both companies believe in the potential of hydrogen to reduce the climate impact of aviation, with plans to achieve decarbonization and carbon-neutral aircraft operations by 2050.
- Airbus will contribute data on aircraft characteristics, energy use, and ground utilization, while Kawasaki will provide technology drivers and scenarios for airport refueling infrastructure.
Airbus and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on building a hydrogen-powered ecosystem for the aviation industry, marking a significant step towards a sustainable future for air travel. The agreement between the two companies encompasses various aspects of the hydrogen chain, including production, transportation, and transfer of hydrogen for aircraft operations. The partnership intends to develop a roadmap to tackle challenges and establish containment plans for meeting the aviation sector's hydrogen needs. Additionally, Airbus and Kawasaki plan to lead in creating a hydrogen infrastructure for aviation, with a specific emphasis on Airport Hydrogen Hubs.
The statement issued after the meeting in Tokyo highlighted the commitment of both companies to accelerate the Japanese government's goal of achieving a decarbonized, carbon-neutral society in aircraft operations by 2050. Stéphane Ginoux, president and CEO of Airbus Japan, expressed confidence in hydrogen's potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of aviation when used in synthetic fuels and as a primary energy source for commercial aircraft.
Kawasaki's executive director emphasized the company's expertise in developing infrastructure for hydrogen liquefaction, transportation, storage, and distribution to receiving terminals. This expertise positions Kawasaki to bridge the gap between hydrogen production and consumption, fostering the growth of the hydrogen market through innovative solutions like the Hydrogen Road.
The collaboration between Airbus and Kawasaki aims to leverage their combined experience and expertise to explore opportunities for hydrogen to drive decarbonization in the aviation sector. Airbus will provide critical data related to aircraft operations, energy consumption, and ground logistics, while Kawasaki will contribute its technological capabilities in different elements of the hydrogen supply chain and develop implementation scenarios for airport hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The partnership signifies a significant commitment to advancing sustainable aviation through the integration of hydrogen technology.
Topics
Aviation
Production
Infrastructure
Technology
Sustainability
Partnership
Decarbonization
Collaboration
Roadmap
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