The H2Sky research project has developed a fuel cell stack optimized for aviation, with funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport. Aerostack, a joint venture between Airbus and ElringKlinger, was involved in the project, which received around €26.5 million in funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
The project, launched in 2022, has now been completed, and according to the ministry, it is one of the largest projects in Germany focused on developing hydrogen-based fuel cell technologies for aviation.
Project Goals and Outcomes
The project’s core focus was the development of aviation-optimized fuel cell stacks with a power output of 100 to 200 kW, designed to power an electric motor driving a propeller or engine. It addressed the high demands of aviation in terms of power density, efficiency, reliability, and lifespan.
However, specific data on the newly developed fuel cell stack remains unavailable. Germany’s Minister for Digital and Transport Patrick Schnieder said, “Climate-friendly mobility will succeed where innovation and competitiveness go hand in hand. In aviation, hydrogen plays a key role.”
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Andreas Hubert, CEO of Aerostack, added, “In the H2Sky project, we successfully advanced fuel cell technology to meet aviation requirements and significantly increased its technological maturity. The results provide a robust foundation for the next steps in preparing the technology for market readiness.”
Challenges Ahead
However, an aviation-ready fuel cell stack is just one of many pieces of the puzzle required to enable hydrogen-powered flight in the future. A complete powertrain is needed, which includes not only the fuel cell stack but also cryogenic tanks, thermal management systems, and power electronics.
Additionally, years of testing and certification by authorities will be required. This may explain why the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport avoided the term “aircraft” in its press release, as a commercial fuel cell-powered aircraft is still years away.
Airbus, which is involved via its stake in Aerostack, had initially targeted 2035 for hydrogen-powered aircraft under the ZeroE programme, but has since deprioritized the effort, making 2040 a more realistic timeline.
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New Initiatives
At the same time, Airbus and Aerostack, together with the PEM Chair of RWTH Aachen University and the German Aerospace Centre, have launched the new ‘GENtwoPRO’ project. The initiative aims to develop a scalable fuel cell system for regional aircraft with up to 100 seats.
The now-concluded H2Sky project was coordinated by the national organisation NOW and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ). The consortium was led by Aerostack. Other partners included EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, Hahn-Schickard, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, the Technical University of Munich, the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, and the University of Freiburg.
For more information on the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, visit the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport website.