CAA selects three projects to advance hydrogen aviation safety and infrastructure
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has selected three bidders for the third round of its Hydrogen Challenge, focusing on cryogenic hydrogen storage, aircraft turnaround operations and airside hydrogen supply as the industry works towards the safe introduction of hydrogen as an aviation fuel.
image: Beyond Aero
The projects will allow the CAA to work directly with industry on the operational, infrastructure and regulatory challenges associated with hydrogen-powered flight, including how the technology could be integrated into live airport environments.
The first project is a partnership between Beyond Aero, London City Airport and the University of East London. It will examine how hydrogen-electric aircraft could affect turnaround operations at a busy airport, while also looking at the skills and education required for the emerging hydrogen aviation sector.
Beyond Aero is developing an aircraft architecture based around hydrogen-electric propulsion, including fuel cell technology, gaseous hydrogen storage and advanced cooling systems. The project will assess the implications for airport operations and infrastructure.
In the second project DreamerBoy Technologies will use the Hydrogen Challenge funding to develop and test NOVAE+, an adaptive cryogenic compressed hydrogen storage system. The technology combines very low temperatures and high pressure to increase hydrogen storage capacity, with AI-based controls intended to monitor storage conditions and minimise hydrogen losses.
The third project, led by Saxon Air, will examine how existing airport infrastructure can be expanded to provide airside hydrogen storage and supply for ground support equipment and unmanned aircraft systems. The work is intended to generate evidence that can support future regulation and operational best practice.
Sophie O’Sullivan, the CAA’s Director of Future Safety and Innovation, said the Hydrogen Challenge was “playing a central role” in bringing industry together to explore hydrogen technology.
“These new projects reflect the collaborative approach needed to support progress towards Net Zero and ensure hydrogen can be safely integrated into how we fly,” she said.
The latest projects build on work undertaken through the first two rounds of the Challenge. Previous projects have included hydrogen-powered ground vehicles completing a zero-carbon aircraft turnaround at Exeter Airport, while Rolls-Royce and easyJet successfully modified a Pearl 15 engine to operate on 100% hydrogen through take-off thrust and a simulated flight cycle.
The CAA said it will use the latest round to identify opportunities, risks, safety challenges and potential gaps in existing regulations as the technology develops.
The government's Jet Zero Taskforce has also identified airport infrastructure as an important element of hydrogen aviation, with work examining the requirements for hydrogen storage, refuelling and on-airport transport as the technology moves towards commercial deployment.