Stuttgart-based company H2FLY, a developer of hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft, has achieved a significant milestone in the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft.
On April 28, 2023, the company announced that it has successfully completed on-ground coupling tests with its HY4 aircraft using liquid hydrogen, marking the first successful on-ground coupling test with an aircraft-integrated LH2 tank and fuel cell system. The achievement is part of the European project HEAVEN, a consortium of six companies led by H2FLY to demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid, cryogenic hydrogen in aircraft.
The on-ground coupling test is a crucial technological building block in the development of a complete hydrogen-electric powertrain that uses liquid hydrogen to power the HY4 – H2FLY’s four-seater demonstrator aircraft that runs on hydrogen and fuel cells producing zero-emissions. The liquid hydrogen storage system, which is designed and supplied by Air Liquide, has been successfully coupled with the fuel cell system on the ground. This success represents a major milestone for H2FLY in the development of fuel cell systems, hydrogen storage systems, and H2 fuel system design for CS-23 and CS-25 aircraft, ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary standards for certification established by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
H2FLY’s successful on-ground coupling tests pave the way for the upcoming ground and flight test campaign this summer, where the HY4 is expected to be the first passenger aircraft to fly with liquid hydrogen and fuel cells. The successful completion of these tests has also allowed the company to scale up its technology for a 40-seater aircraft, according to Prof. Dr. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2FLY.
The project is significant because it demonstrates the feasibility of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft, which could lead to sustainable medium and long-haul flights in the future. Furthermore, the use of liquid hydrogen in aircraft has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry, which has become a major contributor to climate change.
However, the use of liquid hydrogen in aircraft is not without its challenges. Liquid hydrogen is a cryogenic liquid, which requires specialized handling and storage systems. The development of these systems for aviation use will require significant investments in infrastructure and technology, which could potentially limit the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell systems in aircraft. Additionally, the cost of producing and transporting liquid hydrogen is currently higher than that of traditional aviation fuels, making it less cost-effective for airlines.
Despite these challenges, the successful on-ground coupling tests mark an important milestone in the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for aviation. H2FLY’s pioneering technological advancements in fuel cell systems, hydrogen storage systems, and H2 fuel system design could pave the way for a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.
