ZeroAvia awarded UK Government grant to progress advanced fuel cell R&D for clean aviation

ZeroAvia has been awarded £10.5m in UK Government funding through the ATI strategic programme, to further develop its high temperature fuel cell technology, a promising pathway for delivering zero-emission propulsion systems up to and including narrowbody jets.

The Advanced Fuel Cell for Aviation Decarbonisation (AFCAD) project will see ZeroAvia collaborate with the University of Kent, Coventry University and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, to advance this crucial technology towards commercialisation. The research will centre on developing components and the full HTPEM stacks and demonstrating previously unmatched levels of specific power and durability.

AFCAD builds on ZeroAvia’s highly successful HyFlyer I and II ATI projects which delivered breakthrough first flights of hydrogen-electric aircraft and were transformative in establishing greater confidence in the potential for commercial, zero-emission flights this decade.

During HyFlyer II, ZeroAvia also demonstrated the largest HTPEM stack module for aviation, showing technology readiness for scaling fuel cells into large commercial aircraft. AFCAD will further develop this technology to unlock the market for large regional turboprops, regional jets and, ultimately, narrowbody aircraft, as well as developing the supporting UK supply chain and advancing the pathway for manufacturing.

ZeroAvia sees HTPEM fuel cell power generation as key to developing zero-emission propulsion systems for aircraft larger than 20-seats, and the technology is integral to the company’s ZA2000 2-5.4 MW engine for 40-80 seat planes.

Val Miftakhov, Chief Executive Officer, ZeroAvia, said: “The ATI has identified hydrogen as the likely fuel of the future for aviation, and put fuel cells with higher specific power as a major priority on its technology roadmap. The award of this project recognises that ZeroAvia is best placed to develop this technology and that the UK can garner strong industrial advantage from establishing leadership in high temperature PEM fuel cells for aviation and beyond.”

The ATI Programme is delivered in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK, and in partnership with industry.

Jonathan Reynolds, UK Government Business and Trade Secretary, said: “Our world-class aerospace sector added almost £40bn to the economy last year, and by backing it to pioneer cutting-edge new technologies we’re delivering economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs in every part of the UK.

“It’s fitting that I’m launching this new support here at Farnborough Airshow, where the best of British innovation is showcased on the global stage, reinforcing our commitment to placing innovation and manufacturing at the heart of our Industrial Strategy.”

As part of AFCAD, the University of Kent will utilise its experience in advanced lightweight thermal systems and advanced measurement systems in order to accurately measure thermal parameters and temperature distributions, crucial to the validation and understanding of ZeroAvia’s high-temperature fuel cell systems.

Coventry University will leverage and expand its fuel cell testing infrastructure and resources to execute required tests at the stack level. Oliver Curnick, Professor of Electrochemical Engineering at the university’s Research Centre for E-Mobility and Clean Growth, said: "We are incredibly excited to be working with this team on the development of game-changing high temperature PEM fuel cell technology. Coventry University's work within AFCAD draws on our expertise in fuel cell instrumentation, diagnostics and testing.

“We will be helping ZeroAvia to demonstrate the capabilities of their next-generation fuel cell hardware by performing detailed characterisation at our state-of-the-art Hydrogen Energy Applications Laboratory. We look forward to playing our part in accelerating the journey to zero emission aviation."

ZeroAvia recently flight tested a prototype of its ZA600 for the first time aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base in Kemble, Gloucestershire, in January. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is water.

The University of Sheffield AMRC will work to assess and assure manufacturability of key component designs, including pilot build lines. James Hunt, future propulsion lead at the AMRC, said: “ZeroAvia are pioneers in the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, so we were thrilled when they asked the AMRC to join the AFCD consortium.

“The AMRC is committed to helping companies industrialise their net zero systems, with a specific focus on developing solutions to the manufacturing challenges of hydrogen applications. Part of this solution will be delivered within our Hydrogen Electric Propulsion Systems testbed at our AMRC Cymru facility in North Wales, led by our future mobility lead, Lee Wheeler.

“In designing an optimised production process and pilot line, we will enable ZeroAvia to manufacture the HTPEM stack module at the rate and scale required by the aerospace sector, helping anchor manufacturing in the UK and deliver zero emission flight.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 25th July 2024 | Issue #758