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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LOGON: US - HYDROGEN AIRCRAFT
HEADLINE: California Startup Converting Jets to Hydrogen
TEASER: By the end of 2026 they plan to fly them commercially
PUBLISHED AT: 12/12/2023 at 8:45AM
BYLINE: Genia Dulot
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Mojave, California
VIDEOGRAPHER: Genia Dulot
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 1:55
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:))
[[((INTRO:)) A California company is converting jet-fuel aircraft to run on hydrogen to reduce emissions that harm the environment. Genia Dulot takes a look at experimental planes that are already in the air.
((NARRATOR))
Test pilot Alex Kroll is ready for takeoff at the Mojave Air and Space Port.
((NAT SOUND Alex Kroll, Pilot))
“Mobi tower, Lighting One ready for hydrogen powertrain start.”
((NARRATOR))
California-based Universal Hydrogen is converting jet-fuel aircraft to run on hydrogen. Company president Mark Cousin says that will cut carbon emissions in aviation as hydrogen produces just heat and water.
((Mark Cousin, Universal Hydrogen President))
“And that water just comes out through an exhaust here, and it just comes out behind the aircraft as water vapor, so we leave a trail of water behind rather than a trail of CO2 and nitrous oxide and soot and everything else that comes out of the back of a gas turbine.”
((NARRATOR))
Instead of burning hydrogen in a gas turbine like jet fuel, this technology reacts hydrogen with air in a fuel cell to drive an electric motor. Removing plane seats to make room for the hydrogen cells reduces the number of passengers it can carry, and the electric powertrain is heavier than the gas turbine it replaces. But engineer Loris Gilner says that is offset by hydrogen’s greater efficiency.
((Loris Gliner, Universal Hydrogen Powertrain Engineering Director))
“For this size of aircraft, we think that this way is better because the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain is about twice as efficient as the Pratt & Whitney turboprop. It means we can travel twice as far for the same quantity of hydrogen.”
((NARRATOR))
The flight is also much quieter. Without a turbine, the only noise comes from the spinning propellers. The company is working toward having hydrogen aircraft in commercial service by 2026, flying routes up to three hours long.
((Genia Dulot, VOA News, Mojave, California))
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