ZeroAvia and PowerCell Group Collaborate on Next Generation Fuel Cell Technologies for Aviation
Key Ideas
  • ZeroAvia and PowerCell Group sign a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on intermediate and high-temperature fuel cell technologies for aviation applications.
  • The collaboration aims to enhance fuel cell powertrains for aircraft, with a focus on energy-intensive applications like large fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft.
  • ZeroAvia's ZA600 powertrain for up to 20 seat aircraft and the upcoming ZA2000 powertrain for 40-80 seat aircraft are part of the joint R&D efforts.
  • Both companies are set on advancing hydrogen fuel cell technologies to enable cleaner flights, anticipating the first hydrogen-electric aircraft to fly commercially in the near future.
ZeroAvia and PowerCell Group have entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding to jointly work on next-generation fuel cell technologies for aviation. The collaboration will primarily concentrate on intermediate and high-temperature fuel cells, aiming to facilitate applications in large fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft. PowerCell's fuel cell stacks have been an integral part of ZeroAvia's prototype powertrains, which have powered the company's fuel cell flight demonstrators. ZeroAvia is developing a multi-stack balance-of-plant architecture utilizing PowerCell's low-temperature proton exchange membrane (LT-PEM) stacks for aviation purposes, with a specific focus on its ZA600 powertrain for aircraft with up to 20 seats. Additionally, ZeroAvia's high-temperature PEM fuel cell (HT-PEM) stacks are poised to support the ZA2000 powertrain for 40-80 seat aircraft, demonstrating industry-leading power density. By increasing the operating temperature of fuel cell systems, both companies aim to enhance power output efficiency while simplifying system architecture. The partnership will leverage PowerCell's experience in hydrogen-electric technologies to drive advanced fuel cell solutions to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and enable ZeroAvia to expand its technology across various sectors while maintaining a core focus on aerospace. ZeroAvia's CEO highlights the collaborative effort to advance hydrogen fuel cell technologies for aircraft and beyond. PowerCell's CEO expresses confidence in the future commercialization of hydrogen-electric aircraft, emphasizing the environmental and cost benefits that will drive adoption. ZeroAvia has conducted extensive testing of its ZA600 powertrain and submitted certification applications, while also progressing with ground tests for the ZA2000 system, aimed at supporting larger regional turboprop aircraft.
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