An alliance between hydrogen suppliers and refueling technology specialists has started working on plans to support hydrogen-powered aircraft operating from UK airports. Under Project Heart, which is partly funded by the UK Research & Innovation agency’s Future Flight Challenge, green hydrogen energy group Protium is working with Haskel to integrate its hydrogen compression system with Nel Hydrogen’s electrolyzer to deliver hydrogen for fuel cell-based electric propulsion trials on aircraft.
The partners are installing their infrastructure at a new hydrogen production facility called Pioneer 2 in South Wales, where production is expected to begin in mid-2024. The companies have not yet confirmed when the Project Heart flight trials will begin or which aircraft or operators will be involved.
The main focus of Project Heart is preparing for operations at regional airports from hydrogen-powered aircraft carrying nine to 19 passengers that could operate on sectors of around 500 miles. Companies including ZeroAvia, Universal Hydrogen, and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions are working on propulsion systems that could convert existing aircraft to hydrogen.
The solution being developed by Protium, Haskel, and Nel Hydrogen envisages hydrogen being produced at off-site locations and then being transferred to airports to supply aircraft using a mobile refueling unit. The partners say they are working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to ensure this process can be conducted safely.
According to Nel, Project Heart will deliver the UK’s first megawatt-level green hydrogen generation process. The company’s containerized electrolyzer system is based on polymer electrolyte membrane technology that is already in use with the UK’s Royal Navy vessels. This will be combined with Haskel’s MP500 Geno hydrogen compression systems developed specifically for aviation applications.
Renewable Fuel Group H2ygen Opts for U.S. Expansion
Meanwhile, Germany-based renewable-fuels group Hy2gen this month established a U.S. subsidiary to produce renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-derived e-fuels. The group already has operations in France, Norway, and Canada, and it intends to serve sectors including aviation and maritime.
The new Portland, Oregon-based subsidiary plans to develop a 300-megawatt electrolysis-to-e-methanol plant for an international maritime client. Hy2gen USA has plans for two other renewable fuel projects, including one to support aircraft operators, and with supplies that could include sustainable aviation fuel.
“The USA has great potential for growing a sales market for renewable fuels once the framework conditions for their production are fully lined up,” said H2gen CEO Cyril Dufau-Sansot. “To produce renewable fuels, we need large amounts of renewable electricity, which is available in the U.S. at interesting pricing options. The U.S. excels in the hydrogen economy with tax incentives and expedited, technology-open permitting processes. This provides companies like us with reliable framework conditions that give them a crucial starting advantage in upcoming investment decisions.”
