Is Formula One Likely To Go To Hydrogen Fuel?
Formula One has a long term aim of decarbonising or at least going net-zero.
I’ve never been to an electric-car race, but it must be more boring to many to have motor-racing without the smells and the noise.
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
Formula One is unlikely to switch to hydrogen fuel in the immediate future, as its current strategy is focused on using 100% sustainable “e-fuels” from the 2026 season. However, F1 leadership has stated that hydrogen is a potential long-term solution for the 2030s and beyond.
This article on the BBC is entitled Formula 1 boss Ross Brawn Says Hydrogen Could Be Future Fuel.
But I do believe, that the trucks, vans and transporters that accompany Formula One will be decarbonised earlier and hydrogen could play a major part, due to its proven longer range.
Hydrogen coaches are being developed and could be launches next year and are likely to have a 1,000 km. range, so expect to see some of these vehicles in the fleet of vehicles following Formula One.
Hydrogen In Aviation Offers Potential For Growth And Deeper Emissions Reductions, New Study Shows
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Rolls-Royce.
These five paragraphs compose the press release.
Rolls-Royce, easyJet, Heathrow and University College London Air Transportation Systems Lab (UCL ATSLab) published a report highlighting how hydrogen-powered aircraft could enable European and UK aviation to cut carbon emissions while supporting future growth.
The study, Enabling Hydrogen in the European Aviation Market, found that hydrogen in aviation offers a unique opportunity to achieve both emissions reduction and market expansion. The analysis shows that introducing hydrogen alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can accelerate progress towards net zero, particularly when policy incentives reward low-carbon fuels and if hydrogen were to be included within the EU’s SAF mandate.
The research also found that targeted hydrogen infrastructure at around 20 major European airports, including Heathrow, could deliver more than 80% of the emissions benefits of full hydrogen availability across the continent. Concentrating investment at key ‘hydrogen hubs’ would therefore provide a practical and cost-effective path to early adoption.
Further modelling indicates that the earlier novel technologies, such as hydrogen, can be introduced, the more opportunity they present for CO2 emission reductions, underscoring the value of early technological transition where it is financially and technically viable.
The study is underpinned by UCL ATSLab’s Airline Behaviour Model (ABM), which represents the complexity of airline decision-making through specific behavioural variables. Building on this, the research evaluates how fuel costs, incentives and new technologies shape airline responses. This provides a research-based, realistic picture of how hydrogen adoption could evolve, highlighting both opportunities and potential challenges for adoption.
Note, these two sentences recommending early adoption of hydrogen.
- Concentrating investment at key ‘hydrogen hubs’ would therefore provide a practical and cost-effective path to early adoption.
- Further modelling indicates that the earlier novel technologies, such as hydrogen, can be introduced, the more opportunity they present for CO2 emission reductions.
I also suspect, that introducing hydrogen early, feeds back to reduce Co2 emissions.
But what is Trump’s considered view on hydrogen aircraft?
Google AI gives this answer to my question.
Donald Trump’s view on hydrogen for transportation, including potential use in aircraft, is highly skeptical due to perceived safety risks and effectiveness concerns, which generally aligns with his broader opposition to green energy initiatives. He has specifically criticized hydrogen-powered vehicles as being dangerous and “prone to blowing up”.
Note.
- I used to work in a hydrogen factory and it’s still producing hydrogen.
- I doubt Trump gets on well with Jennifer Rumsey, who is CEO of Cummins, who are one of the world’s largest diesel-engine companies, who are following a zero-carbon route.
- Is Formula One Likely To Go To Hydrogen Fuel? This would set the Cat Among The Pigeons
I also feel that this University College London study will create a string of converts to hydrogen.
US Judge Overturns Trump’s Ban On Wind Energy Project Permits
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
A federal judge has struck down the US President Donald Trump’s indefinite halt of all federal approvals and permitting for new wind energy projects.
Trump is obviously very strong in his opposition to wind power, as he issued the ”Wind Order” on his first day back in office.
He received this robust reply from Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock.
Today’s decision is welcome news, not just for the thousands of American workers and businesses across 40 states supporting offshore wind in the U.S., but also for the critical relief the wind industry will provide to lower skyrocketing electricity prices for millions of American families with reliable, affordable power.
Overturning the unlawful blanket halt to offshore wind permitting activities is needed to achieve our nation’s energy and economic priorities of bringing more power online quickly, improving grid reliability, and driving billions of new American steel manufacturing and shipbuilding investments. We thank the Attorneys General and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York for taking this case forward to protect American business interests against the politicization of our energy sector.
I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this legal argument.
The Anonymous Widower 