Unveiling the Future of Aviation: Transitioning to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Regional Aircraft
Key Ideas
  • New aircraft concepts, including hydrogen fuel cell electric regional aircraft, are pivotal for sustainable aviation goals.
  • The study focuses on calculating switching points from conventional turboprop to hydrogen fuel cell electric aircraft for future entry into service by 2035.
  • The methodology developed in this thesis can be applied beyond aviation to identify advancements required in various technologies or concepts to meet performance goals.
  • Topology visualization offers insights on parameters needing investment and trade-offs for achieving sustainable aviation targets.
The study conducted at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in Delft, Netherlands, delves into the transition towards next-generation aviation technologies, specifically exploring the shift from conventional turboprop to hydrogen fuel cell electric regional aircraft. This transition is crucial in meeting sustainable aviation objectives set for the future. The research aims to identify switching points by analyzing the technological advancements needed for hydrogen fuel cell electric aircraft to meet performance targets compared to the reference standards based on key performance indicators. With the anticipation of hydrogen fuel cell electric aircraft entering service in the regional segment by 2035, this study introduces a methodology to calculate these switching points and visualize their placement within a multidimensional design space. The methodology is exemplified by identifying switching points for hydrogen fuel cell regional aircraft concerning turboprop regional aircraft scheduled for entry into service in 2035, focusing on parameters such as payload, range, and energy efficiency. Supervised by Maurice Hoogreef, the research not only benefits the aviation sector but also extends its applicability to other fields seeking to achieve performance goals through technological advancements. The topology visualization provided in the thesis sheds light on the areas that require further investment and emphasizes the necessary trade-offs that need to be considered to attain the set targets. By presenting a comprehensive analysis and methodology, this study contributes significantly to the discourse on sustainable aviation and the pivotal role that hydrogen fuel cell electric aircraft are expected to play in shaping the future of the industry.
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