13-02-2025
Climate Impulse Celebrates First Anniversary with Major Advances in Green Aviation
Rabat – A year after its launch, Climate Impulse has made significant strides in developing the world's first green hydrogen-powered airplane, designed for a non-stop, nine-day, zero-emission flight around the globe in 2028.
During an online conference marking its first anniversary today, key partners, including University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), OCP Group, Syensqo, and Breitling, reflected on the project's achievements and outlined future challenges and opportunities in sustainable aviation.
What started as a concept in the minds of Bertrand Piccard and Raphael Dinelli is now becoming a reality, as the cockpit is finished and work on the wings is underway, which brings Climate Impulse closer to takeoff.
Piccard, Chairman of Climate Impulse, expressed his excitement over the rapid progress during the conference. A year ago, 'the workshop was empty. Today, it is full with molds, with pieces of the wings, pieces of the fuselage, with 15 people working really hard as pioneers to make it happen.'
He noted the importance of teamwork and partnerships in turning this vision into reality, adding, 'We want to be a flagship for a federative, exciting, and positive climate action … to show that solutions exist.'
Meanwhile, Dinelli expressed the project's commitment to proving that hydrogen can be a viable solution for aviation's decarbonization. 'We will have to master the safe storage and use of liquid hydrogen to power Climate Impulse over a long period: more than eight days,' he said.
Till Zeino-Mahmalat, the project's technical director, echoed this excitement as he pointed out the country's strong renewable energy capacity and OCP's role in decarbonization efforts.
'We are one of the leaders in fertilizers. We have set ourselves a very strong ambition in decarbonizing our own operations and our own products,' he said. OCP aims to achieve carbon neutrality in scopes one and two by 2030 and in scope three by 2040. Zeino-Mahmalat explained that green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia, play an important role in these efforts.
'Ammonia can be produced from hydrogen. So, combining this huge potential of renewable resources, as we have one of the best regions in the world to produce green hydrogen, with our need to decarbonize our products, this is a great spot where we are on,' he explained.
UM6P is playing an important role in advancing the project by contributing cutting-edge research and technological solutions. Representing the university, Professor Lamiae Azizi reiterated the university's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
'For us, this partnership allows us to put our scientific expertise and technological solutions to a pioneering project that aligns with our mission of advancing carbon neutrality across industries and put Morocco in its leader position in renewable renewable energy resources.'
AI and automation in green flight
She also discussed UM6P's contributions to AI-based autopilot systems and explained how the technology will enhance flight efficiency and safety. 'We see this as an AI autopilot-based system in which we're going to be able to gather a number of information about the flight, the trajectory, and the environment conditions,' she said.
'Our goal is to provide an automated system that detects subtle turbulences and optimizes energy use, anticipating any problems that could put you Climate Impulse experts into problem during the mission.'
As Climate Impulse's main technological partner, Syensqo is contributing innovative materials and engineering solutions to enhance aircraft performance and efficiency. CEO Ilham Kadri said with enthusiasm that 'this is not only a technological project; it's a human adventure. Its environmental project is the ultimate flight around the world without emissions.'
Kadri outlined Syensqo's role in developing lightweight composite materials, which are essential for reducing the aircraft's energy consumption. 'We lighten objects, be it an airplane, a car, or an e-bike. That's what we do,' she explained. 'If it's mobile, it consumes less fuel, which means less CO2.'
She noted that composite materials like carbon fiber-reinforced polymers can be 30 to 50% lighter than traditional metals while maintaining strength and durability. 'It's estimated that a 1% weight reduction using composites can lead to a 0.75% reduction in fuel consumption,' she further explained.
Despite remarkable progress, the path to success is challenging since the aviation industry has long been considered difficult to decarbonize. The aviation industry releases several types of gases that contribute to climate change. The main one is carbon dioxide, which comes from burning jet fuel and makes up about 2.5% of global emissions.
However, Climate Impulse is looking to prove that change is possible, with Kadri speaking of the significance of the project in reducing aviation's carbon footprint. She pointed out that aviation currently contributes between 4% and 6% to global warming.
Read also: UM6P's 'Science Week' to Gather Scientists, Experts to Explore Issues Shaping Tomorrow
'A one-way flight from New York to Tokyo typically emits approximately 2 metric tons of carbon dioxide per passenger,' she explained, adding that reducing or eliminating these emissions would be a major step in mitigating climate change.
Over the past year, Climate Impulse has gained international recognition as it presented its vision at major events such as New York Climate Week, COP29 in Baku, and the World Economic Forum in Davos. The project aims to inspire broader adoption of clean energy technologies beyond aviation and advocatie for a future where sustainability and economic prosperity go hand in hand.
The aircraft's cockpit shell has been completed, with its design ensuring smooth aerodynamics and advanced communication systems, and the interior has also been finalized. These elements were tested in a full-size wooden model to make sure they are functional and comfortable.
The team has also started manufacturing the wing spar, with strength tests planned soon. Meanwhile, the final aircraft design was revealed and a 3D model of the plane was built to test its takeoff, landing, and stability.
For Climate Impulse, 2025 and 2026 will be key years for the project. Next year, the team will test the hydrogen fuel cells and propulsion systems using a special test setup to make sure the first 100% electric flight phases run smoothly. Researchers will also explore how this technology can be used in small commercial aircraft carrying up to 20 passengers. Tags: Climate Impulsegreen aviationgreen hydrogen
