Airbus has launched a demonstrator program to explore a new architecture for the generation of non-propulsive energy (NPE) by replacing the APU in an A330 widebody with a hydrogen fuel cell system that will generate electricity. Known as HyPower, the hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator also aims to reduce CO2 emissions, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and noise levels associated with a traditional APU.
NPE, which generally accounts for about 5 percent of the aircraft’s power needs, traditionally comes from the kerosene-powered APU. “Replacing kerosene [needed by the APU] by H2 fuel cells could be very promising for an aircraft powered by fuel cells,” noted Airbus chief technical officer Sabine Klauke.
The company remains convinced that hydrogen (H2)-powered aircraft are “absolutely necessary” for the industry to achieve net-zero carbon (CO2) emissions by 2050 and claims it has made "significant progress on its H2 journey” over the past six months. Speaking to media at the Paris Airshow on Tuesday, Klauke said the company has made progress in developing its two H2-based propulsion technologies, hydrogen combustion (H2C) and hydrogen fuel. In December Airbus revealed a 100 percent fuel cell-powered aircraft concept, with 100 seats, six engines, and a range of 1,000 nm.
Both projects run in parallel and both propulsion types could apply to different market segments, said Glenn Llewellyn, Airbus v-p ZEROe Aircraft. ‘’Today, there is no decision. It could be either or, it could be both,” he said. “We are not interested in developing just one hydrogen-powered aircraft,” adding he retains a “high level of confidence that we can achieve our ambition [of having an H2-powered aircraft on the market in 2035].”
“These tests will mark a new step in our decarbonization journey and ZEROe program through an ambitious flight demonstration that will take to the air by the end of 2025,” said Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext, which leads the HyPower project. “We want to demonstrate the operability and integration of the system, including refueling the aircraft with hydrogen. We will demonstrate this system in realistic conditions, climbing to 25,000 feet and flying for one hour with 10 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen on board.”