LH2, with three times the energy density of gasoline is getting an
opportunity to prove itself viable for aviation.
ôMore than flying around the world with a hydrogen airplane, Climate Impulse will explore new ways of thinking and acting to promote a better quality of life.ö
Bertrand Piccard
ôThe major technological challenge is to build an aircraft around two liquid hydrogen tanks maintained at -253░C, powering electric motors through fuel cells.ö
Raphael Dinelli
First non-stop zero-emission flight around the world
https://climateimpulse.org/en
Video:
https://youtu.be/n4b8I5lZio8
With its main partners Syensqo and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P)
& OCP Group, and its Official Partner Breitling, Climate Impulse presents concrete achievements, advancing the creation of the worldÆs first green hydrogen-powered airplane designed for a groundbreaking non-stop, nine-day, zero-emission circumvention of the globe in 2028. Partners celebrate a year
of remarkable progress and technological breakthroughs, bringing the project closer to redefining the future of sustainable aviation. Significant
challenges remain on the path to success, and overcoming them through innovative solutions will be essential to driving the project forward.
A year ago, Climate Impulse existed in drawings within the minds of
explorers Bertrand Piccard and Raphaδl Dinelli.
With the cockpit complete and wings under construction, the airplane is progressively coming to life. Climate Impulse is now focused on meticulous daily planning and execution, working closely with its main technological partner Syensqo, whose innovation and expertise in advanced technologies are pivotal to optimise the chances of success.
As the airplane takes shape, the vision behind Climate Impulse has been in
this first year advanced on international stages such as New York Climate
Week, COP29 in Baku, and the Davos World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. This vision is one of a clean, efficient world where innovation drives sustainabilityù where the economy thrives on clean energy and embraces resource-efficient practices. In line with this vision, Climate Impulse
tackles the formidable challenge of reducing the aviation sector's carbon footprint, long considered "impossible" to decarbonize, while extending its impact beyond the mobility industry.Æ
"One year after the launch of the Climate Impulse project, we can already celebrate the incredible achievements of a team of pioneers united by a
shared passion and vision. What began as an ambitious concept is now taking shape, overcoming countless technological challenges along the way. Climate Impulse is on its way to become an environmental flagship, amplifying our message to the world. A nine-day, non-stop journey around the globe in a hydrogen-powered airplane will capture global attention. This should serve
as a powerful demonstration that efficient solutions are already within
reach. Our mission is to inspire their adoption, proving that the ecological transition is an extraordinary opportunity to grasp,ö declares Dr Bertrand Piccard, Chairman of Climate Impulse.
ôWith Climate Impulse, we want to demonstrate that it is possible to decarbonise aviation by using green hydrogen. We will have to master the
safe storage and use of liquid hydrogen to power Climate Impulse over a long period: more than eight days. We will be increasing the energy performance
of the drivetrain by removing technological barriers to the efficiency of
the propellers, fuel cells and electric motors and reducing the weight of
the tanks. And we are proud to be working with our main technological
partner Syensqo and technological advisers such as Airbus, Ariane Groupe, Safran, Duc HΘlices, EKPO, Green Gt, SDMS, AD Venta and H2 Pulse,ö said
Raphaδl Dinelli, Head of construction and co-pilot of Climate Impulse.
Overcoming Challenges
Over the past year, Climate Impulse has reached groundbreaking milestones in lightweight airframe and wing design, thanks to the dedication of Syensqo's teams. Several key Syensqo technologiesùsuch as advanced composites for a lighter, more resilient structure are now onboard the aircraft. Many more
have the potential to be used as well such as high-performance materials for
an efficient hydrogen fuel cell, and innovative coatings and adhesives. Together, these solutions bring concrete improvement in lightweight, performance and aerodynamics. Syensqo's technological improvements could represent an additional range of 9000 km.
Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, commented: ôMaking Climate Impulse a
reality presents complex technical challenges that we are committed to overcoming. Our 13,000 Syensqo employees are proud to be part of this human, environmental and scientific adventure, showcasing the power of their sustainable innovations that will drive carbon neutrality for our customers
and advance humanity.ö
Inspiring aviation and beyond
With its nonstop round-the-world flight planned for 2028, the Climate
Impulse project advances towards its goal of proving that hydrogen-powered aviation is not just a dream but a viable solution for sustainable aviation.
If two passengers can fly nonstop around the world, smaller distances can embark larger numbers.
As one of the two main partners of the project, UM6P & OCP Group alliance embodies a powerful synergy, merging academic excellence with industrial leadership. This collaboration empowers researchers to pioneer and advance cutting-edge decarbonization solutions.
By integrating scientific research, industrial applications, and sustainable innovation, UM6P & OCP Group strengthen Climate ImpulseÆs vision of proving that breakthrough clean technologies can power the future of transportation
and industry without harming the planet. This partnership is not just about developing solutionsùitÆs about implementing them at scale, paving the way
for a truly decarbonized global economy.
Hanane Mourchid, Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer, OCP Group:
ôJoining the Climate Impulse initiative underscores our commitment to a sustainable future. As we celebrate its first anniversary, we see this milestone as a decisive step to advancing green hydrogen and energy transitionùessential elements of OCPÆs vision for carbon neutrality and supporting MoroccoÆs action in global climate resilience.ö
ôAt UM6P, we are committed to advancing sustainability and driving decarbonization efforts in Morocco and beyond through cutting-edge research
and innovation. We are thrilled to support the Climate Impulse initiative as this partnership provides an exceptional platform for our researchers and students committed to developing key technological solutions for climate action,ö said Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P.
Reflecting on 2024 Milestones
In twelve months, critical progress was made in key areas:
- Cockpit Development: The shell of the cockpit has been built and the engineering of the inside is now complete, ensuring optimal aerodynamics and advanced communication systems, essential for efficient operation in diverse conditions.
- Interior Fittings: Interior components have been finalized,
including swivel seats, a bunk, a map table, and exercise aids designed to promote blood circulation. These features were tested in a full-scale wooden model to validate their functionality and pilot comfort.
- Wing Spar Manufacturing: Production of the wing spar is underway,
with mechanical strength and rupture testing scheduled.
- Final Design Presentation: The latest aircraft design was unveiled, showcasing cutting-edge features and innovative engineering solutions.
- 3D Maquette Unveiling: A 3D model of the aircraft has been built to test take-off, landing, turning, and stability, providing stakeholders with
a tangible representation of the airplaneÆs behaviour.
2025 - 2026 foreseen milestones
In 2025, testing of the hydrogen fuel cells and propulsion systems will be conducted using a modular test bench, validating the performance of the propeller, electric motor, and batteries for the initial 100% electric
flight phases. This test bench will also assess fuel cells and tanks before installation. R&D will focus on optimizing the aircraftÆs efficiency for
both short- and long-haul flights, with future studies exploring scaled applications for light aircraft carrying up to 19-20 passengers.
2026 will be a crucial year as the plane should be revealed and first test flights performed. The aircraft's assembly will take place at ChΓteauroux Airport, bringing together all key components, including the cockpit, wings, hydrogen tank pods, and propulsion system.
Stay updated on more news about Climate Impulse and its journey to 2028 by visiting www.climateimpulse.org.
Together, we can take flight toward a cleaner future. #BetheImpulse
Cockpit
Two-seaters 7m│ cockpi
Tanks
2 x 11m│ tanks of green hydrogen maintained at -253░
Propulsion
2 electric engines of 270 hp each
Pioneering
Innovative hydrogen storage systems powering fuel cells and electric motors
Flight Speed
Approximately 180 km/h
Cruising Altitude
3000m
World Tour Flight Time
Estimated 9 days in 2028
Dimensions
Wingspan - 34m
Total Mass
5.5 tonnes approximately including H2 and cargo
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Those who think itÆs impossible are asked not to disturb those who are
trying"
https://climateimpulse.org/en/news/those-who-think-it-s-impossible-are-asked-not-to-disturb-those-who-are-trying
May 1, 2024
This article was first published in Le Temps, in response to an article advocating for the end of the clean-aviation dream.
It is more than necessary to combat the CO2 emissions produced by aviation,
but this assurance that clean aviation is impossible seems to me to be a
simple mistake, a mere repetition of the past.
In the 1860s, the London Patent Office declared that everything that could
be invented had already been invented. Specialists had calculated that an aircraft heavier than air could never fly, and then that it could never
cross an ocean. It was thought that because there would never be enough antennas the generalisation of mobile phones would be impossible. Experts predicted a maximum of 4 computers in the world. And now we're being told
that it will be impossible to make aviation cleaner.
It's becoming a habit!
I'm told that Solar Impulse was useless, and that Climate Impulse is nothing more than an explorer's delusion and a dying industry throwing its last
pawns into the battle.
Solar Impulse never set out to show a way of decarbonising aviation, or to
make people believe that solar power could be considered commercially viable
in this sector. We had one goal, and we have fully achieved it: to
demonstrate that renewable energies and clean technologies could make it possible to achieve objectives considered impossible. Remember that at the start of the project, photovoltaics were anecdotal and cost 40 times more
than it does today. Since then, the success of the Solar Impulse Foundation, which has identified and promoted 1600 efficient solutions, is proof that
the message was right, despite the detractors. This legacy has far surpassed the initial intention and is now enabling us to go one step further with Climate Impulse, the first non-stop round-the-world flight in a green
hydrogen aircraft.
Aviation has proved that it can be disruptive, but it has fallen a little asleep. The role of environmental activism should be to wake it up, not clip its wings. NASA was already using 60 years ago liquid hydrogen in its space capsules. Don't tell us that it's impossible to do the same for an aircraft. Climate Impulse will try to stabilise this green fuel at -253 degrees for 9 days, and this will have crucial repercussions for the industry.
Decarbonisation will take time, and we have to start by including the CO2 charge in the price of tickets, and of course reducing the frenzy to fly
simply because it's cheap, and urgently improving procedures and operations. But wanting to ban aviation, in addition to the chaos it would create, is completely utopian, in Europe and a fortiori in the rest of the world, which
is not asking for anything else than to develop further. Let's be serious! Rather let's commit to what today's solutions - renewable energies and
hydrogen in particular - can enable us to achieve.
I'm very angry with those who keep people, and young people in particular,
in a state that ruins their ability to act. As much as an open-air
laboratory, Climate Impulse represents a battle against defeatism and scepticism, which lead people to believe that there is no way out other than sacrifice and regression. So this debate goes far beyond aviation. It's
about the mindset we should be adopting: that of the pioneer who puts
solutions rather than problems first, realism rather than ideology, and a refusal to see anything we don't know yet as impossible.
I sincerely believe in clean aviation. I could be wrong, but I'm not afraid
to try. As for the sceptics, what advantage do they find in closing the
field of possibilities? Don't they run the risk of becoming grounded while progress takes off?
Let's remember this quote, for the current debate: "Those who think it's impossible please do not bother those who are trying...".
Bertrand Piccard,
Climate Impulse Chairman
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