GenH2 has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ZeroAvia to develop liquid hydrogen aviation infrastructure solutions for airport environments.
This groundbreaking partnership aims to power a revolution in green flight by supplying zero-emission engines, infrastructure, and fuel to the aviation industry.
ZeroAvia is at the forefront of developing practical zero-emission aviation powertrains that can replace conventional combustion engines. Their hydrogen-electric engines utilize fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, which then powers electric motors to drive the aircraft propellers. By leveraging this innovative technology, ZeroAvia aims to achieve scalable and truly clean aviation.
To expedite market adoption, ZeroAvia initially focuses on retrofitting existing fixed-wing and rotorcraft airframes with their hydrogen-electric engines. Simultaneously, they collaborate with clean-sheet designers to integrate the engines into new aircraft designs. ZeroAvia plans to certify their ZA600 engine, capable of producing 600 kW and serving 9-19 seat aircraft, as early as 2025. Furthermore, they target certification of the ZA2000 engine, designed for up to 80 seat regional turboprops, by 2027.
GenH2, on the other hand, specializes in offering a range of hydrogen liquefaction, storage, and dispensing systems. These systems, capable of producing liquid hydrogen in quantities ranging from 20 kg/day to 5000 kg/day, can be utilized as ground support refueling units or as primary LH2 fuel sources for airport operations. GenH2’s technology provides the flexibility to meet the demand for liquid hydrogen at any location, breaking traditional geographic constraints.
Through their collaboration, GenH2 and ZeroAvia aim to develop airside LH2 infrastructure solutions that will establish dedicated ground support for ZeroAvia aircraft. Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2, emphasizes the importance of hydrogen as the likeliest fuel source for zero-emission propulsion and expresses excitement about the combined technologies speeding up time to market and accessibility for advanced clean energy in aviation.
Aviation is currently one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Without significant changes, it is projected to contribute over a quarter of global climate impact by 2050. Arnab Chatterjee, Vice President of Infrastructure at ZeroAvia, highlights the urgency of radical change in the industry and the role that hydrogen-electric propulsion can play in scaling truly clean aviation for commercial use. The liquefaction capability provided by GenH2 further strengthens ZeroAvia’s mission to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen-electric propulsion.
The collaboration between GenH2 and ZeroAvia holds the potential to transform the aviation industry by enabling the widespread adoption of zero-emission hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. With their combined expertise and commitment to clean energy, they are poised to revolutionize air travel, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
