TY - GEN
T1 - Electrical Grid Requirements for Sustainable Green Hydrogen Use in Aviation
AU - Ansell, Phillip J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Given its strong potential to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of aviation, the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier for aircraft has garnered significant attention. Liquefied hydrogen represents one of the only clean-energy fuels capable of meeting the specific energy characteristics compatible with air transportation systems. While hydrogen aircraft are often viewed as zero-emission vehicles, the life cycle associated with liquid hydrogen production pathways can produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. With electrolyzed hydrogen viewed as a cornerstone to building a sustainable aviation future, it is important that the dependencies of the energy production life cycle on the source of electricity are appropriately captured. In this study, the life cycle carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of liquid hydrogen production are modeled using a variety of future US grid forecasts. If electrolyzed hydrogen were to be produced using a 2020 US electrical grid mix, its use would be associated with approximately 2.5× the global warming potential as direct use of fossil-derived jet fuels. If only incremental increases in renewable energy resources are introduced across the grid, electrolytic hydrogen will not become an environmentally sustainable solution. However, the development of a fully renewable electrical grid in the US by 2035 is technically and socially viable, and if realized electrolyzed hydrogen can serve as a compelling zero-emissions solution for aviation. The impacts of the various grid scenarios on quantitative life cycle environmental impact, land required, and water use are considered for future market scenarios under the context of the forecast energy requirements for aircraft operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
AB - Given its strong potential to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of aviation, the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier for aircraft has garnered significant attention. Liquefied hydrogen represents one of the only clean-energy fuels capable of meeting the specific energy characteristics compatible with air transportation systems. While hydrogen aircraft are often viewed as zero-emission vehicles, the life cycle associated with liquid hydrogen production pathways can produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. With electrolyzed hydrogen viewed as a cornerstone to building a sustainable aviation future, it is important that the dependencies of the energy production life cycle on the source of electricity are appropriately captured. In this study, the life cycle carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of liquid hydrogen production are modeled using a variety of future US grid forecasts. If electrolyzed hydrogen were to be produced using a 2020 US electrical grid mix, its use would be associated with approximately 2.5× the global warming potential as direct use of fossil-derived jet fuels. If only incremental increases in renewable energy resources are introduced across the grid, electrolytic hydrogen will not become an environmentally sustainable solution. However, the development of a fully renewable electrical grid in the US by 2035 is technically and socially viable, and if realized electrolyzed hydrogen can serve as a compelling zero-emissions solution for aviation. The impacts of the various grid scenarios on quantitative life cycle environmental impact, land required, and water use are considered for future market scenarios under the context of the forecast energy requirements for aircraft operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
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U2 - 10.2514/6.2023-4476
DO - 10.2514/6.2023-4476
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85200257180
SN - 9781624107047
T3 - AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023
BT - AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023
PB - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
T2 - AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, AIAA AVIATION Forum 2023
Y2 - 12 June 2023 through 16 June 2023
ER -