ZeroAvia has taken the world’s largest hydrogen-electric plane into the sky, taking a step forward in environmentally friendly aviation.
The 19-seater Dornier 228 twin-engine aircraft is equipped with a prototype hydrogen-electric propulsion system that runs on “compressed hydrogen gas produced by a local electrolyser”. The test configuration included two fuel cell batteries and lithium-ion batteries, which are placed in the test cabin. However, for commercial use, they will be moved to outside storage to make room for seating. In addition, the hydrogen-electric powerplant was combined with a standard Honeywell TPE-331 engine on the starboard wing. It served to provide additional power during takeoff as well as insurance for safety purposes.
The Dornier 228 made a 10-minute flight from Cotswold Airport in Great Britain. It is being developed as part of the HyFlyer II project, a government-funded research and development program aimed at making small passenger aircraft safer for the environment.
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ZeroAvia says it intends to certify the technology this year, and plans to launch commercial routes based on it by 2025. The company is also working on a program of power units with a capacity of 2-5 MW, which will allow the technology to be scaled for aircraft with a capacity of up to 90 seats. The goal is to expand production of narrow-body aircraft over the next decade. In addition, Amazon invested in the company as part of its Climate Pledge Fund.
Source: Engadget
