ZeroAvia and Verne have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the potential of utilising cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) for aircraft propulsion and refuelling.
The collaboration aims to evaluate the advantages of CcH2, which boasts 40% greater usable hydrogen density than liquid hydrogen and 200% greater than 350 bar gaseous hydrogen.
The partnership will assess the scalability of CcH2 storage and refuelling infrastructure at airports globally, focusing on supporting larger hydrogen-electric aircraft. Notable benefits include reduced densification cost, faster refuelling times, increased dormancy time, and potential elimination of venting for pressure management.
ZeroAvia is actively testing its hydrogen-electric engines, while Verne has developed large hydrogen storage systems with support from federal grants and prominent investors.
ZeroAvia and Verne will assess the potential benefits of scaling CcH2 storage and refuelling infrastructure at airports across the world, as hydrogen-electric propulsion scales to support larger and larger aircraft.
The two companies will also work together to develop a model for initial airport locations in California.
Verne has developed large hydrogen storage systems exhibiting 4 MWh of storage. Recently, Verne and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory announced the demonstration of Verne’s 1 MWh CcH2 storage prototype.
Verne has received federal grants for the development of its technology, including from ARPA-E. Verne is backed by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Caterpillar Venture Capital, Collaborative Fund, and other leading investors. As well as rapid work to develop its propulsion technology, ZeroAvia has been active in demonstrating hydrogen airport infrastructure.
Sergey Kiselev, chief business officer ZeroAvia said, “With our engines just a few years from flying passengers and cargo, it is important for us that we find the optimal solutions to support airport hydrogen ecosystems. Increasing storage capacity and refuelling speed using novel technologies is an important avenue for scaling up hydrogen aviation, and we’re delighted to work with Verne on assessing the role of cryo-compressed hydrogen.”
“Aviation is a massive potential market for Verne, as it becomes clear that hydrogen is critical to tackling the industry’s climate impact. Airports can be centres of hydrogen activity, with co-located hydrogen demand for aircraft, airport ground operations, and on-road commercial transportation. Cryo-compressed hydrogen has a key role in optimising this ecosystem,” Ted McKlveen, chief executive officer and co-founder Verne.
ZeroAvia is already testing its ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft at its UK base, and is working to retrofit a prototype of its ZA2000 to a 76 seat Dash 8 400 in the US. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is water.