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Photo Credit: H2Fly

 (Stuttgart, Germany), a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) that is developing hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft, and its partners, has begun the integration of a liquid hydrogen (LH₂) storage system tank into its HY4 aircraft. The integration process commenced following the tank passing the vibration and LH₂ leakage testing phase at (Paris, France) in September.

The announcement marks a significant step forward for Project HEAVEN — an initiative which has set out to design, develop and integrate a powertrain based on high-power fuel cell and cryogenic technology, into an existing aircraft for testing in-flight operation. The start of the mechanical integration process draws H2fly closer to achieving higher aircraft ranges, which is critical in the pursuit of achieving true zero-emissions medium and long-haul flight.

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H2fly supplies the complete fuel cell system supporting the composites-intensive HY4 aircraft, along with the integration platform and the overall system architecture and controls of the fuel cell and hydrogen storage system. As the development lead, H2fly plays a critical role in the complete coordination of the system implementation to guarantee each of the system parts is properly adapted, ensuring safe functionality.

The company is joined by the following partners for the HEAVEN project: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, a cryogenic tank designer and supplier; (Ajdovščina, Slovenia), which will be supporting the integration and demonstration of the tank; and the DLR, supporting the operation and testing of high power fuel cell and system architecture.

Integration work is expected to be completed over the coming months. Following the integration of the new hydrogen storage system and fuel cells, the aircraft is planned to enter a rigorous program of ground testing early in 2023.

“For the past 10 years, at H2fly we have been focused on developing and delivering new technology and now we look forward to completing the integration process so we can begin ground testing in preparation for the world’s first commercial liquid hydrogen-electric aircraft,” Prof. Dr. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2fly, says.

The HEAVEN project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 826247. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and Spain, France, Germany and Slovenia.