“Climate Impulse” or explorer Bertrand Piccard’s new dream of a non-stop world tour using hydrogen

La construction de l'avion de Bertrand Piccard a débuté. Il devrait s'envoler en 2028. MAXPPP – Franck Dubray

After Solar Impulse, the explorer wants to revolutionize the aeronautics sector and more generally that of mobility. Takeoff in 2028.

After completing the first trip around the world in a balloon and, more recently, in a solar plane with the Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard revealed his new project: a non-stop, emission-free tour of the earth aboard ;rsquo;a green hydrogen plane in 2028.

The Swiss explorer wishes to demonstrate that concrete solutions can help build a cleaner and more efficient world. After two years of research, development and design supported by Airbus, Daher, Capgemini, and with the participation of Ariane Group, construction of the aircraft has already begun and will last two more years under the direction of Raphaël Dinelli, composite materials engineer and navigator. After two more years of testing, this experimental aircraft will attempt to circle the equator non-stop, piloted by Bertrand Piccard and Raphaël Dinelli. An adventure in the service of climate action which aims "to restore confidence in technological solutions for the common good". More than a flight, Climate Impulse aims to be a standard bearer of climate action to revolutionize the aeronautics sector, but also beyond, thanks to innovative solutions in traditionally areas. considered difficult to decarbonize.

Nine days of non-stop flight

Climate Impulse represents a major technological advance. Besides producing green hydrogen from renewable energy and using it in fuel cells to power electric motors, the main challenge is keeping liquid hydrogen at -253°C during the nine planned flight days. This requires designing the aircraft around new generation thermal tanks. When it was announced in 2004, Solar Impulse was a symbol based on an intuition: that renewable energies and clean technologies make it possible to achieve environmental objectives considered unattainable.

🌱⏯️#RDD2023  : le replay !

Keynote – @bertrandpiccard, Fondateur de @solarimpulse

🗣️« Il est urgent de tisser des liens, construire des ponts avec tous les adversaires de cette #transition. »

A (re)découvrir ici 👇 https://t.co/K6CyjVRGCW

— Institut Open Diplomacy (@opendiplo) February 12, 2024

Revolutionizing the mobility sector

Since then, more than 1,500 efficient solutions have been identified and labeled by the Solar Impulse Foundation, certifying their benefits, both ecological and economic. Wanting to push this heritage even further, Climate Impulse will develop and promote concrete technologies that can revolutionize the aeronautical industry, and the mobility sector in general. "In this world marked by eco-anxiety, we must restore hope and stimulate action by demonstrating that solutions exist disruptive solutions leading to sustainable progress. More than a world tour with a hydrogen plane, Climate Impulse will explore new ways of thinking and acting to promote a better quality of life", promotes Bertrand Piccard. And to conclude: "Efficient solutions can bring together citizens, environmental defenders, political leaders and business leaders, and allow us to move on from sacrifice and from fear to enthusiasm and action.

Taking off to a new world within four years.