One of the global leaders in the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems is now at the forefront of a groundbreaking project in the UK related to hydrogen refueling infrastructure for aviation. Not limited at aircraft, but including ground vehicles and airport energy systems, this real-world program could mark a major step toward the regular use of hydrogen at commercial airports.
This groundbreaking hydrogen infrastructure program is called HyPRIME (Hydrogen Propulsion Refueling Infrastructure Mobile Ecosystem) and the names behind it are ZeroAvia, ULEMCO, and GeoPura, with support from the Department of Transport in the UK.
ZeroAvia, which is leading the project, has become one of the top names when it comes to aerospace-grade hydrogen-electric propulsion. It is right now the world’s only Design Organization-approved manufacturer that focuses exclusively on hydrogen-electric aviation. It has also achieved significant regulatory milestones with both the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in the US and the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in the UK.
In a nutshell, HyPRIME will demonstrate and evaluate hydrogen refueling infrastructure across a network of UK airports. It will cover all the phases connected to this infrastructure, from developing and building it to operating the demonstrational refueling.
This exact type of infrastructure could support liquid hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft in the near future. Another major aspect is that HyPRIME isn’t limited to the actual refueling of aircraft, but will also evaluate the potential for zero-emission airport operations by using hydrogen for ground vehicles and airport energy systems as well. In other words, HyPRIME could demonstrate the benefits of turning airports into hydrogen ecosystems.
On one hand, HyPRIME will test and evaluate the refueling of commercial aircraft with liquid hydrogen. On the other hand, it will use the hydrogen boil-off (the gas resulting from the evaporation of liquid hydrogen) to power ground support equipment and other airport utilities.
ULEMCO will provide its MATT ground support equipment for the project, and GeoPura will supply its HPU1 hydrogen-powered unit.
One of the most important aspects of HyPRIME is that it will take place in real-world airport environment. One of the measurable objectives is to determine whether liquid hydrogen refueling can be completed within the standard commercial turnaround times at the moment.
The bigger goal is to evaluate the primary factors, including economic and safety aspects, for scaled hydrogen refueling infrastructure across the UK.
ZeroAvia has established multiple partners in various parts of the world for advancing hydrogen-powered aviation, including the ODIN (Operations to Decarbonize Interconnectivity in Norway) project, the first of its kind in Norway.
ZeroAvia also operates a 136,000-square-foot (12,600-square-meter) Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett, Washington, where it produces components for its own hydrogen-electric powertrains and for aircraft OEMs.
The ZA600, a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain, is compatible with a wide range of existing aircraft, and is paving the way for an even bolder version, the almighty ZA2000, which could power regional aircraft with 40 to 80 seats.
