Universal Hydrogen has achieved a significant breakthrough by conducting ground rig testing of a ‘megawatt-class’ fuel cell powertrain utilizing a liquid hydrogen supply module.
The ground rig testing, carried out at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, USA, showcased the largest fuel cell powertrain ever to operate on liquid hydrogen. Powered by the innovative liquid hydrogen module, the ground test rig demonstrated continuous operation for over 100 minutes, representing a major stride forward in Universal Hydrogen’s quest to introduce passenger services powered by hydrogen fuel cells by 2026.
Developed at Universal Hydrogen’s engineering and design center in Toulouse, France, the liquid hydrogen module boasts a storage capacity of approximately 200kg of liquid hydrogen, enabling prolonged operation without boil-off. Designed with safety and efficiency in mind, the module includes sophisticated systems for converting cryogenic liquid hydrogen into gaseous form, along with built-in leak detection and venting mechanisms to ensure safe operations. Moreover, the module features leak-proof quick-connect technology for seamless installation and removal, underscoring Universal Hydrogen’s commitment to user-friendly and reliable hydrogen infrastructure.
Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, emphasized that the successful ground test represents a crucial step towards upgrading the company’s flight testbed to accommodate the new liquid hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. This advancement builds upon Universal Hydrogen’s previous achievements, including the successful test flights of a Dash-8 regional aircraft equipped with a hydrogen powertrain.
While Universal Hydrogen continues to make strides in advancing hydrogen propulsion technology, challenges remain on the path to widespread adoption. Infrastructure limitations, including the availability of hydrogen refueling stations and the scalability of production, pose significant hurdles to the integration of hydrogen-powered aircraft into commercial aviation fleets. However, with continued innovation and collaboration across the industry, Universal Hydrogen aims to overcome these challenges and usher in a new era of sustainable air travel powered by clean hydrogen energy.
