PAUL EREMENKO

CO-FOUNDER &

CEO,

Universal Hydrogen

A modular revolution

Universal Hydrogen’s first product is a conversion kit for existing ATR72 and De Havilland Canada Dash-8 aircraft to fly on hydrogen. It includes a fuel cell electric powertrain and lightweight, modular hydrogen capsules transported directly to the aircraft. The company’s vision is “to build a global hydrogen distribution network that delivers green hydrogen to any commercial airport in the world at a cost far below that of jet fuel.”

Green hydrogen: cost-effective and environmentally friendly

Green hydrogen's cost has been decreasing exponentially due to falling renewable electricity costs, while its production volume has been increasing. Eremenko foresees a further cost decline in green hydrogen production and believes it will reach price parity with jet fuel by the mid-2020s even without subsidies.

Betting on hydrogen instead of sustainable fuels

Eremenko challenges the industry’s reliance on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), advocating for a transition towards hydrogen. Despite SAFs being a current viable option, he argues that hydrogen's inherent sustainability outperforms SAFs, especially for future single-aisle aircraft. He also discusses alternatives like ammonia mixtures for longer flights.

Starting small, building momentum: hydrogen-powered planes as trailblazers

Universal Hydrogen is initiating smaller aircraft conversions to showcase hydrogen's potential. Eremenko believes these small-scale hydrogen planes will set the stage for larger-scale adoption. Their successful test flight of the Dash-8 'Lightning McClean' demonstrates the viability of hydrogen-powered aviation and acts as a precursor for future developments.

Strategic collaborations: fostering partnerships for technological advancements

Eremenko emphasises Universal Hydrogen's focus on perfecting hydrogen technology rather than manufacturing aircraft. Their approach involves collaboration with major aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and GE Aerospace. This collaborative model mirrors the partnerships between app developers and tech giants, ensuring a comprehensive integration of hydrogen into future aircraft designs.

Listen to more insights on our podcast

Hosted by SimpliFlying CEO and Founder Shashank Nigam, Sustainability in the Air is the world’s leading sustainable aviation podcast.

Over the past year, guests have included Amy Ruddock (Carbon Engineering), Tony Douglas (formerly Etihad, now Riyadh Air), Andrea Carroll (daa), Tom Kershaw (Travelport), Patrick Roux (SkyTeam), Carrie Harris (British Airways), Gene Gebolys (World Energy) and Susanne Beken (Griffith University).

Listen and subscribe to the podcast here: green.simpliflying.com/podcast

Listen to more interviews

Meanwhile, our Sustainability in the Air website includes weekly articles on sustainable aviation tech startups; reports on subjects as diverse as SAF and eVTOLs; and regular newsletters read by thousands of industry professionals to understand the ever-evolving space of sustainable aviation and the industry’s potential pathways to net zero by 2050.

Subscribe

Meet the pioneers of sustainable aviation

Climate change concerns are making the aviation industry turn to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft to cut emissions. However, scaling these technologies requires significant innovation.

Sustainability in the Air highlights the journeys of entrepreneurs, executives, and investors who are navigating these challenges and paving the way for the future of aviation. Available on Amazon

Over the past fifteen years, SimpliFlying has worked with over 100 airlines and airports globally to help build trust in travel. We have also helped various technology companies scale up within aviation.

Here are some ways we can help you in making the future of travel more sustainable:

1

Share your vision via our podcast

Let your CEO be interviewed by Shashank Nigam and share your vision for a sustainable future for travel on Sustainability In the Air. Find out more on becoming a partner.

Build thought leadership through bespoke reports

We can help you build thought leadership on a particular topic that you'd like to "own". Check out a sample report we did with a partner recently.

Grow your brand in aviation

SimpliFlying has helped a multitude of technology firms scale up in aviation. From launching an airplane to marketing an Airbus A380 engine. We can help you simplify your brand and help build awareness with key decision makers. Get in touch!