Reducing emissions from commercial aircraft is a top priority for the aviation industry. Worldwide, carbon dioxide emissions from jet engines are responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (private aircraft contribute a further 1%). While this is less than the emissions from cars and trucks, which account for 12% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it is still significant enough to require urgent action. Airbus and Toshiba believe they have a potential answer to the problem, and their collaboration could bring about transformative changes to aviation.

Sustainable aviation fuel (saf) and the challenges it faces

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is frequently mentioned as a key to reducing emissions, and it is currently one of the most discussed topics in aviation sustainability. SAF is made from renewable resources, including used cooking oil, plant oils, municipal waste, and even algae. Despite the optimism, many of the technologies involved are still emerging and face significant challenges. For instance, making aviation fuel from corn has been proposed, but this approach has its own downsides, such as the energy required for its production.

To produce fuel from corn, it takes approximately 1.2 barrels of oil per acre of corn, in addition to the fertilizers, pesticides, and diesel fuel needed for farming operations. Such energy-intensive processes cast doubt on whether corn-based SAF can be a genuinely sustainable solution.

An alternative solution for reducing aviation emissions involves using green hydrogen, which presents an intriguing option to bypass some of the inefficiencies and environmental drawbacks of biofuels.

The case of toshiba, airbus, and liquid hydrogen

Toshiba and Airbus have decided to take a different approach, one that relies on the potential of hydrogen and propeller-driven aircraft rather than the more traditional jet engine thrust. Their concept hinges on cooling the hydrogen to -253ºC to turn it into liquid hydrogen. When hydrogen is cooled to such low temperatures, certain materials can become superconducting.

The basic idea is this: use the ultra-cold temperature of liquid hydrogen to increase the electrical efficiency of an engine that turns a propeller. The partnership aims to jointly develop a two-megawatt superconducting prototype engine that could serve as the foundation for hydrogen-powered aircraft. By using superconducting materials, which have nearly zero electrical resistance, Toshiba and Airbus believe they can dramatically improve energy efficiency in electric aircraft propulsion.

The potential use of hydrogen in aviation is exciting, but it comes with challenges. Producing green hydrogen requires significant amounts of electricity, typically through electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. Not only does electrolysis require vast energy resources, but additional energy is also required to compress, transport, and eventually convert hydrogen back into electricity using a fuel cell.

At each step, there are conversion losses, making hydrogen less efficient than simply charging a battery. However, hydrogen offers the significant advantage of high energy density, making it potentially suitable for long-distance flights, which batteries alone are currently unable to achieve.

Superconductivity: improving efficiency in aviation

The advantage of superconductivity is its ability to allow electric current to flow through a conductor with virtually no resistance. This means less energy is wasted as heat and more energy is available to power the aircraft’s propeller. Superconductivity only works under extremely low temperatures, such as those achieved with liquid hydrogen.

Toshiba and Airbus suggest that using liquid hydrogen at -253°C as both a fuel and a coolant for electric propulsion systems could be revolutionary. “Cryogenic technology could enable near-zero energy transfer losses within aircraft electrical systems, significantly improving energy efficiency and overall performance,” said representatives from both companies.

This approach could potentially address the high energy demand of aviation and improve the feasibility of electric propulsion for commercial aircraft. By incorporating cryogenic cooling and superconducting materials, the companies are hoping to make a leap forward in aviation technology that could be crucial for future aircraft designs.

Superconducting research and collaboration

In a joint press release, Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, the energy division of Toshiba Group, announced their collaboration in superconducting technology research for future hydrogen-powered aircraft.

In the push towards decarbonising the aviation industry, hydrogen-powered aircraft are viewed as one of the key solutions to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This is especially true for short- and medium-range routes, where hydrogen and electric solutions are seen as viable alternatives to traditional jet fuel.

Superconducting technologies hold a unique promise for these hydrogen-powered aircraft, not only because of their use of liquid hydrogen for fuel but also for cooling the aircraft’s electrical systems. The almost zero energy transfer losses enabled by superconductivity are seen as a significant factor in making hydrogen-powered aircraft commercially viable.

Grzegorz Ombach, Head of Airbus R&D, explained that “The partnership with Toshiba offers a unique opportunity to go beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electric motors. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver breakthrough technology that could open up new design opportunities, particularly for Airbus’ future hydrogen-powered aircraft.” He emphasised that the collaboration with Toshiba is a natural progression towards the further development of superconducting technology, which is vital to meeting aerospace industry needs.

Tsutomu Takeuchi, President of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, added, “Toshiba’s expertise in superconductor technology for high current flow, motor drive technology for precise current control, and advanced rotating machine technology for stable, high-speed operation form a strong foundation for this partnership. We both recognise the immense potential of superconducting technologies to shape the future of aviation and help decarbonise the industry.”

Ongoing efforts by airbus and toshiba

Over the past decade, Airbus has actively sought to de-risk superconducting technologies, making significant strides in preparing these systems for use in aviation. Recently, Airbus UpNext launched a demonstrator called Cryoprop, intended to test a two-megawatt superconducting electric propulsion system. Such initiatives are laying the groundwork for new aircraft designs that rely less on traditional jet engines and more on sustainable energy sources.

Toshiba, on the other hand, has been researching and developing superconducting technology applications for nearly half a century. In June 2022, Toshiba unveiled a prototype of its own two-megawatt superconducting motor, intended for mobility applications beyond just aviation. This long history of research positions Toshiba as a key player in superconducting technologies, capable of pushing the boundaries of what is possible for aircraft propulsion.

In May 2024, the Airbus Tech Hub Japan initiative was announced. The initiative’s goal is to foster partnerships that will advance aerospace research, technology, and innovation in Japan. It aims to push the boundaries of what is possible in aviation and to prepare the industry for next-generation aircraft. The partnership between Toshiba and Airbus is the first of its kind under the umbrella of this initiative, and it reflects a shared commitment to sustainable aviation.

A realistic outlook

The partnership between Airbus and Toshiba represents a bold and potentially transformative step for the future of aviation. Yet, there are considerable challenges. At present, the idea that airports will develop the infrastructure needed for storing and handling liquid hydrogen—including super-cooling technology—seems ambitious, if not overly optimistic. The pipelines, tanks, and pumps capable of managing such low temperatures are rare, expensive, and have a limited lifespan due to the extreme conditions involved.

Despite these challenges, if Airbus and Toshiba are successful in developing a two-megawatt superconducting engine, it could be a game-changer for the industry. Such an engine could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of air travel, making sustainable aviation a reality sooner than expected.

Moreover, if the superconducting and cryogenic technologies prove reliable and commercially viable, they could pave the way for new types of aircraft that are more efficient and capable of flying longer distances with fewer emissions. This would not only reduce greenhouse gases but also potentially lower operating costs for airlines, which are currently heavily dependent on fossil fuels and subject to volatile fuel prices.

The success of such technologies will depend on the entire ecosystem—including regulatory support, infrastructure development, and airline adoption—aligning to create a sustainable pathway forward for hydrogen-powered flight. It could be a key milestone towards reaching the aviation industry’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, marking the beginning of a new era in aviation.

The partnership between Airbus and Toshiba, although in its early stages, could very well lead to groundbreaking developments in aviation technology. If they manage to overcome the existing challenges and bring their superconducting hydrogen-powered propulsion system to market, it might just be the turning point that the aviation industry needs to enter a new, greener era.