- Airbus and Toshiba partner to co-develop superconducting motors for hydrogen-powered aircraft, enhancing efficiency and decarbonization in aviation.
- Partnership Aims to Drive Decarbonization with Advanced Cryogenic Motors*
Wed Oct 16 06:14:34 -2024 UTC– Together, Airbus and Toshiba plan to develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor, which will form the core of future hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion systems. The partnership builds on Airbus UpNext’s recent Cryoprop demonstrator project, designed to test the use of a two-megawatt superconducting motor within electric propulsion systems.
To this end, Airbus entered into a strategic partnership with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, the energy division of Toshiba Group. The collaboration is focused on using superconducting technology for hydrogen-powered aircraft—a key element in Airbus’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Advancing Superconducting Technology
Superconducting technology is highly efficient at very low temperatures, which aligns well with hydrogen-powered electric propulsion systems. These systems rely on liquid hydrogen, cooled to -253°C, not only as a fuel but also as a coolant for the electric motor. This cryogenic cooling approach could lead to more efficient energy transmission, minimizing power loss within the aircraft’s electric system.
Partnership Signed at Japan Aerospace 2024
The partnership was formalized at Japan Aerospace 2024 in Tokyo. The signing ceremony included Dr. Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior Vice President, and Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s Corporate Officer in Power Systems. The event was attended by representatives from both organizations, underscoring the significance of this initiative in advancing hydrogen-powered aviation.
Pioneering Technology in Japan
Toshiba has a longstanding history in superconducting technology, having recently unveiled a two-megawatt superconducting motor for mobility applications. This collaboration marks a significant step in Airbus’s ambitions to enhance research and innovation within Japan, following the announcement of the Airbus Tech Hub Japan in May 2024. This tech hub aims to drive future-focused aerospace projects, with the Toshiba-Airbus partnership serving as its inaugural initiative.
Through this alliance, Airbus and Toshiba are pioneering a path toward sustainable aviation by combining expertise in superconducting and hydrogen technologies, paving the way for the next generation of green aircraft.
TL,DR
Airbus and Toshiba are collaborating on superconductivity research for hydrogen-powered aircraft, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and performance.
The partnership involves co-developing a two-megawatt superconducting motor. This initiative aligns with efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry and advance next-generation technologies.