ZeroAvia secures EU backing for hydrogen aircraft
The project will support the retrofit of 15 Cessna Caravan aircraft with ZeroAvia's ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines and the establishment of the supporting airport hydrogen fuel technologies, with operations planned to commence in 2028. The zero-emission aircraft are designed to replace traditional kerosene-fuelled turboprops on cargo routes, delivering over a 95 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also work to deliver hydrogen refuelling and storage infrastructure at 15 airports in Norway, establishing the world's largest network of zero-emission commercial flights.
The ODIN project aims to validate the technical performance and economic case for utilising hydrogen-electric aircraft in commercial operations, with a view to stimulating further adoption in Norway, across the EU and beyond.
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ZeroAvia said its project proposal was found to contribute to the objectives of the EU initiative "Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)" and meets the requirements to receive the STEP Seal, a quality label awarded by the European Commission dedicated to boosting investment in critical technologies in Europe. ZeroAvia's[1] ZA600, a powertrain uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, made its first test flight on January 19, 2023 aboard a 19-seat Dornier 228 aircraft. The company is now ground testing its final design for certification, and concurrently working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and US Federal Aviation Administration on certification programmes related to the engine.
In a statement, Val Miftakhov, founder & CEO, ZeroAvia said: "The EU Innovation Fund[2] is notoriously competitive with applications needing to pass through rigorous assessment and demonstrate compelling evidence for near-term greenhouse gas reductions.
This project will set a phenomenal example by introducing a scaled network of hydrogen- electric aircraft operations, efficiently delivering vital goods to people and businesses across Norway without the typical associated environmental damage."
References
- ^ ZeroAvia's (zeroavia.com)
- ^ EU Innovation Fund (climate.ec.europa.eu)