Dale Vince, the visionary founder of Ecotricity, has announced a project that promises to transform the aviation industry: Ecojet, the world’s first hydrogen-powered airline. With a launch date set for 2024, this innovative concept aims to revolutionize air transportation and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
In its first year of operation, Ecojet will use conventional aviation fuel while hydrogen-powered engine certification processes are being finalized. Once the respective permits and authorizations are obtained from the British civil aviation authority, the aircraft will be equipped with advanced ZeroAvia engines, slated for installation in 2025.
The new airline will operate flights between Edinburgh and Southampton, using 19-passenger aircraft. These planes, powered by the 600 kW propulsion system of ZeroAvia, will demonstrate the viability of green hydrogen technology in the aviation sector.
On his Twitter account, Vince highlighted that the electricity used to power Ecojet flights will come exclusively from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power. In this way, the flights will be carbon emission-free and will significantly contribute to the fight against climate change.
Regarding the process of obtaining green hydrogen, specific details have not yet been provided. However, Ecotricity informed Hydrogen Insight that it has experimented with hydrogen production as part of Vince’s Skydiamond initiative. This initiative aims to produce diamonds from the carbon dioxide present in the air, suggesting that innovative technologies for obtaining clean and sustainable hydrogen are being explored.
Before fully transitioning to hydrogen, Ecojet will carry out test flights using conventional engines. This will ensure the efficiency and safety of the equipment and also identify suitable landing sites for hydrogen adaptation.
The potential impact of Ecojet on the aviation industry is significant. With the backing of hydrogen engine certification and the commitment to green energy, this initiative will mark a major step toward the decarbonization of air transportation, a crucial move in the fight against climate change.
ZeroAvia, the engine manufacturer, has already demonstrated the effectiveness of its 600 kW propulsion system in tests conducted on the 19-seater Dornier 228. In addition, the company has received 1,500 orders worldwide for the ZA600 model and is working on an even more powerful model, the 2.4 MW, which it plans to test on the 78-seater Bombardier CRF 700 aircraft.
