Dutch working on aircraft propulsion with liquid hydrogen

In the Netherlands, fuel cell specialist zepp.solutions has signed a cooperation agreement with the Dutch Aerospace Centre NLR. The goal is to develop a new type of FC system and, based on the latter, realise a manned flight with liquid hydrogen in 2026.

NLR is endeavouring to power its electrically powered research aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, with liquid hydrogen. With zepp.solutions, a specialist in fuel cell systems development and integration has joined the project. Both sides describe the recently signed cooperation as a “key pillar in NLR’s ambition to conduct a demo flight in 2026.”

The Pipistrel Velis Electro will be given an additional installation space under the cockpit to convert to hydrogen. That is where the NLR’s research aircraft will house the planned fuel cell system from zepp.solutions. The partners are not yet going into further technical details. Still, they emphasise that the collaboration embodies the joint focus on taking “concrete steps towards sustainable aviation within the Dutch ecosystem.”

It is also clear that zepp.solutions will not only develop the hydrogen fuel cell system as part of the partnership, but will also be involved in the integration into the Pipistrel and all test activities up to the demo flight. The approach ensures that the knowledge and experience of the other party can be optimally utilised, thus increasing the chances of success of the demo flight.

According to NLR project manager Arjen Kloosterman, the main objective is to gain knowledge and experience in developing and integrating hydrogen components and powertrains for manned aviation. “Besides physical integration, the biggest challenges are the airworthiness and safety aspects associated with introducing hydrogen onboard an aircraft. The entire trajectory up to the demo flight in 2026 provides us with valuable knowledge and insights for hydrogen technology integration and is thus a prelude to further developments and implementation of this technology in the aviation sector. The collaboration with Zepp is an essential step for us and will significantly contribute to NLR’s Climate Neutral Aviation programme.”

Jan Bot, co-founder of zepp.solutions, comments: “Our fuel cell technology has already proven itself in various sectors. We bring a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to developing efficient and compact fuel cell systems. However, aviation offers completely different challenges. This cooperation, and to be able to learn from each other in this way, is therefore incredibly valuable. In developing the hydrogen system for the Pipistrel, together with NLR, we will not only demonstrate the potential of hydrogen in aviation but also learn lessons that can be of great value to this sector.”

The research project is being carried out partly as part of the Aviation in Transition research and innovation programme, co-funded by the Dutch government’s National Growth Fund. At the same time, it is integrated into the NLR’s Climate Neutral Aviation programme, which aims to pave innovative ways to make aviation climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest.

nlr.nl (in Dutch)