Airbus to trial hydrogen fuel cell technology for in-flight auxiliary power

Airbus UpNext has launched a new demonstrator programme called HyPower, aimed at trialling hydrogen fuel cells for the generation of non-propulsive energy onboard aircraft.

The new technology demonstrator will replace the actual auxiliary power unit (APU) with a hydrogen fuel cell system capable of generating electricity, reducing CO2 and NOx emissions and the noise levels generated by a traditional APU.

“These tests will mark a new step in our decarbonisation journey and ZEROe programme through an ambitious flight demonstration that will take to the air by end 2025,” said Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext. “We want to demonstrate the operability and integration of the system, including refuelling the aircraft with hydrogen.”

The flight test campaign will use a modified Airbus A330 as well as a ground test bed of the system while also procuring a production unit for renewable hydrogen, which can fulfil the requirements of the test campaign.

“We will demonstrate this system in realistic conditions, climbing to 25,000 ft and flying for one hour with 10kg of gaseous hydrogen onboard. However, we cannot do this alone, and our cooperation with the Spanish government and external partners will be key enablers of this series of tests,” added Augello.