Through the combustion of fossil fuels and the resulting emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), the transport sector contributes significantly to the depletion of resources and to global climate change. As a result, both government regulations and the efforts of the European Union are aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector. A large proportion of emissions in the transport sector are attributable to the aviation sector. In contrast to car-driven transport, the use of battery technologies in aviation is not very promising. A promising alternative for reducing emissions in the aviation industry is the use of hydrogen in the short and medium-haul segments.
Airbus is already planning the market introduction of hydrogen aircraft in 2035. Before hydrogen can be used commercially as a fuel, the infrastructure required to supply airports with hydrogen must first be built. The dimensioning of the individual components in the hydrogen supply chain and the structural connection of these depends on the amount of hydrogen required. In the aviation industry, these quantities depend on the number of hydrogen aircraft in use. What will the aviation industry look like in 2050 and what role will hydrogen aircraft play? What market share will hydrogen-powered aircraft achieve and what influence will other sectors with hydrogen demand have on this demand?
As part of a master's thesis, the factors influencing hydrogen demand in the aviation sector are to be investigated using system dynamics modelling. The aim of the thesis is to develop a system dynamics model and to identify the relevant influencing factors as well as the strength of the influence and to derive recommendations for action for politics and industry based on this. In particular, interactions with other sectors on hydrogen demand and external influencing factors on the aviation sector are to be worked out.
If you are interested, please contact Karen Ohmstede