HEAVEN

Aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells hold great promise for decarbonising the aviation industry. The EU-funded HEAVEN project aims to build the powertrain – the mechanism that drives the aircraft – for an existing small aircraft (accommodating up to four passengers). In particular, the project will adapt two 45-kW polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell systems to aircraft applications and integrate them with optimised balance-of-plant components. The enhanced 90-kW fuel cell system should propel the aircraft without a battery. The storage of liquid hydrogen will require cryogenic temperatures. Cryogenic technology will be applied to aeronautical applications for the first time, aiming to improve the energy densities of pressurised hydrogen tanks. The fuel cell and cryogenic systems will be coupled with an existing aircraft drivetrain.

Duration: 1 January 2019 - 30 September 2023