In a bid to decarbonize the aviation industry, European airplane maker Airbus has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australia's Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) to support the 'entry-into-service' of a green hydrogen-based aircraft by 2035, which would be produced by 100% renewable electricity.
The working alliance between the 2 partners will allow both to collaborate on implementing green hydrogen as a fuel within the global aviation industry which remains one of the most polluted industries due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Under the agreement reached, the duo will identify challenges around green hydrogen regulations, infrastructure and global supply chains, right from the production to its supply to airports and transfer onto aircraft.
To this partnership, FFI will contribute with cost outlook, technology drivers and build infrastructure deployment scenarios to targeted airports, while Airbus will provide characteristics on fleet energy usage, scenarios for hydrogen demand in aviation, refueling specifications and aviation regulatory framework.
"The problem isn't travel, the problem is how we fuel our planes and ships – all of that must turn emissions free. No greenwash, no mirage, just 100% green," said FFI Founder and Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, the Australian billionaire who is also famous as Twiggy.
Airbus announced its ZEROe demonstrator project in February 2022 to use hydrogen for what would be the world's '1st' zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
FFI is betting on solar and wind power for its green hydrogen plans. Back in December 2021, it announced a Global Green Energy Manufacturing Centre in Queensland to produce electrolyzers and green energy products including solar cells, which has now entered construction (see AUD 3 Billion RE Hub In Queensland).