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Are artificial fuels (i.e. hydrogen or something we can make from hydrogen) going to be viable for flying within a reasonable timeframe? Whilst I expect that s

Are artificial fuels (i.e. hydrogen or something we can make from hydrogen) going to be viable for flying within a reasonable timeframe? Whilst I expect that short-haul flights will be replaced by high-speed trains we're still going to need planes for intercontinental travel. EasyJet are hoping to have electric planes covering the London-Amsterdam route in 2030: https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1039041/flights-easyjet-electric-plane-london-amsterdam-2030 https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1039041/flights-ea....

ars 8y ago
> Are artificial fuels (i.e. hydrogen or something we can make from hydrogen) There is no difference between a synthesized fuel and one pumped from the group - it's the same molecules. What matters is your energy source to make the synthesized fuel. In any case hydrogen is a particularly bad fuel for airplanes. The best fuel is actually the one we already use.
- radicalbyte 8y ago
  By artificial fuels I mean ones created by us using renewable energy. If we can create something similar to current fuels from a renewable source then that would be fantastic.
0xffff2 8y ago
I believe that hydrogen is being looked at a bit, but it presents some significant safety concerns since it needs to be compressed pretty substantially to get good energy densities. It's my general impression that the safety concerns outweigh the usefulness for the time being. Right now, my organization is focused on a number of hybrid electrical approaches with the main goal being to minimize losses by using the descent phase to charge batteries that are then used to assist in climb on the next flight. I haven't heard about the EasyJet proposal before. I'm looking for more info, but I can't find enough to form an intelligent opinion yet. Interestingly enough, it seems to be a YC backed company that's developing the vehicle.
bdamm 8y ago
High speed trains are unlikely to replace short hop air transport in America. The fact is that rights of way don't exist, and land acquisition is enormously expensive. Freight dominates the railways.

ars 8y ago

> Are artificial fuels (i.e. hydrogen or something we can make from hydrogen) There is no difference between a synthesized fuel and one pumped from the group - it's the same molecules. What matters is your energy source to make the synthesized fuel. In any case hydrogen is a particularly bad fuel for airplanes. The best fuel is actually the one we already use.

radicalbyte 8y ago
By artificial fuels I mean ones created by us using renewable energy. If we can create something similar to current fuels from a renewable source then that would be fantastic.

0xffff2 8y ago

I believe that hydrogen is being looked at a bit, but it presents some significant safety concerns since it needs to be compressed pretty substantially to get good energy densities. It's my general impression that the safety concerns outweigh the usefulness for the time being. Right now, my organization is focused on a number of hybrid electrical approaches with the main goal being to minimize losses by using the descent phase to charge batteries that are then used to assist in climb on the next flight. I haven't heard about the EasyJet proposal before. I'm looking for more info, but I can't find enough to form an intelligent opinion yet. Interestingly enough, it seems to be a YC backed company that's developing the vehicle.

bdamm 8y ago

High speed trains are unlikely to replace short hop air transport in America. The fact is that rights of way don't exist, and land acquisition is enormously expensive. Freight dominates the railways.