ZeroAvia

Last updated

ZeroAvia
Industry Aerospace
Founded2017
FounderValery Miftakhov
Headquarters
United States  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Key people
CEO: Valery Miftakhov
Products Light aircraft
Website www.zeroavia.com

ZeroAvia is a British/American hydrogen-electric aircraft developer. The company was founded in 2017 by Valery Miftakhov, who currently serves as the company CEO. [1] ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-fueled powertrain technology aiming to compete with conventional engines in propeller aircraft, with an aim of zero-emission and lower noise. [2] ZeroAvia expects to sell products by 2023 and demonstrate flights up to 500 miles (800 km) in aircraft of up to 20 seats. [3] According to the company, by 2026, ZeroAvia intends to fly an aircraft over 500 miles range in aircraft with up to 80 seats. [4]

Contents

History

Piper PA-46

In 2019, the company completed flight tests of the electrical aspects of the initial powertrain design, where it was later reported that an external hydrogen tank was fitted to a Piper Matrix. [5]

The company moved to a facility in Cranfield, England in 2020. Installation and test of the ZA250 hydrogen–electric powertrain in a six-seat Piper Malibu took place at Cranfield during 2020, culminating in an eight-minute first flight of the hydrogen-electric Malibu in September that year. [6] It was the company's first commercial-scale hydrogen-electric-powered flight. [7] In December 2020, the company was awarded £12.3 million, from the UK Government's ATI Programme, to develop a 19-seat hydrogen powered aircraft with a 350-mile (560 km) flight to be completed by 2023. [8]

In March 2021, ZeroAvia launched development for a 2 MW hydrogen-electric powertrain for full-size regional aircraft. [7] The following month, the company announced it would develop the HyFlyer II aircraft at Cotswold Airport. [9] On 29 April 2021, ZeroAvia's hydrogen-powered Piper PA-46-350P demonstrator testbed crashed in a field during a flight from Cranfield. No one was seriously hurt in the accident, but the aircraft received substantial damage, losing its left wing, after it was forced to land following a power system test. [10] [11] [12] Investigation revealed that when the battery was disconnected to test operation on the fuel cell alone, excessive voltage generated by the motor turned by the propeller caused a protective shutdown of the motor's inverter. [13] [14]

Dornier 228

The Dornier 228 used by ZeroAvia before its modification D-IFLM (7443946984).jpg
The Dornier 228 used by ZeroAvia before its modification

ZeroAvia obtained two Dornier 228 aircraft for the next phase of its 19-seat HyFlyer program in June 2021. [7] In August 2021, ZeroAvia completed its first high-power run of the ZA-600, a hydrogen aircraft engine. Ground testing included a flight-intent 600 kW (800 hp) powertrain, which pulled a 15-ton HyperTruck mobile ground testing platform across the tarmac. The HyperTruck tests systems for 40-80 seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft and is sized to ZeroAvia’s ZA-2000 2 MW (2,700 hp)+ powertrain. These propulsion system tests are for the HyFlyer II programme, which hopes to develop a hydrogen-electric, zero-emission propulsion system for airframes 10-20 seats in size. Later in 2021, the first HyFlyer II’s Dornier 228 aircraft test-flights were anticipated to take place at the Kemble facility. [7]

In 2022, the company announced a partnership with Otto Aviation to build a hydrogen-powered version of the Otto Celera 500L aircraft. [15] That same year, Textron Aviation and ZeroAvia partnered for the development of a hydrogen-electric powertrain for the Cessna Grand Caravan. [16]

On 19 January 2023, ZeroAvia flew its Dornier 228 testbed for 10 minutes with one TPE331 turboprop replaced by a prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain in the cabin, consisting of two fuel cells and a lithium-ion battery for peak power. [17] The aim is to have a certifiable configuration by 2025. [17]

The test campaign is planned for 10 to 20 flights. [16] The commercial platform is intended to be a 10- to 20-seat aircraft. [16]

DHC-8

In October 2021, ZeroAvia announced a collaboration with Alaska Airlines to develop the ZA-2000 hydrogen-electric powertrain, capable of producing between 2,000 kW and 5,000 kW, to power 76-seat regional aircraft with a range of at least 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi). [18]

In December 2021, ZeroAvia entered into a partnership with De Havilland Canada with a view to offering the ZA-2000 powertrain as an option for the DHC-8 airliner, as a line-fit option for new aircraft and as an approved retrofit for existing aircraft. [19]

In May 2023, ZeroAvia unveiled a DHC-8 Q400 donated by Alaska Airlines for use as a testbed aircraft. [20]

Operations

Finances

2020

Announced 16 December 2020, ZeroAvia raised $21.4 million in Series A financing led by the Bill Gates-backed power investing fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures and environmental sustainability VC firm Ecosystem Integrity Fund. Existing investors Sweden's Summa Equity, the venture investing arm of Royal Dutch Shell, private individual Ihar Mahaniok, Hong Kong fund Horizons Ventures, and Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund also participated. At the same time, the firm also received a grant from London-based the Aerospace Technology Institute, Innovate UK, and the UK's Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, totalling $16.3 million. [21]

2021

Announced on 31 March 2021, ZeroAvia raised $24.3 million in a second round of Series A financing. This round was led by existing investor Horizons Ventures and included previous investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Royal Dutch Shell, Summa Equity, and SYSTEMIQ, alongside new investor British Airways. [22] [23]

Announced on 29 June 2021, ZeroAvia raised $13 million from six existing investors–Breakthrough, Climate Pledge Fund, Horizons, Shell, Summa, and SYSTEMIQ–with four new investors coming on-board, including SGH Capital, AP Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Agartha Fund LP. [24]

Announced on 13 December 2021, ZeroAvia raised $35 million in Series B financing that brought in new investors United Airlines Ventures and the Alaska Air Group, alongside previous investors AP Ventures, Horizons Ventures, Royal Dutch Shell, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Summa Equity, and Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund. [23]

2023

In September 2023, ZeroAvia announced a new financing round, with Airbus as a lead investor. Airbus will also collaborate with ZeroAvia on approaches to certification and technical aspects such as fuelling operations and fuel-cell testing. Other investors in this round include Neom Investment Fund, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, Alaska Airlines, Horizons Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Ecosystem Integrity Fund. [25]

The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Verne to evaluate cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH
2
) for use in its planes. Cryo-compressed hydrogen stores gaseous hydrogen at cold temperatures, achieving energy density 40% higher than liquid hydrogen and 200% percent more than (350 bar) gaseous hydrogen. Verne claimed that CcH
2
can significantly lower densification costs and refueling times versus liquid hydrogen, while increasing storage duration and potentially eliminating pressure management (venting). [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbour Air</span> Floatplane airline in British Columbia, Canada

Harbour Air Seaplanes is a scheduled floatplane service, tour and charter airline based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The predominantly seaplane airline specializes in routes between Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria, Sechelt, Comox, Whistler and the Gulf Islands, primarily with de Havilland Canada floatplanes. Harbour Air operates de Havilland Beavers, Otters and Twin Otters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornier 228</span> Transport aircraft family by Dornier

The Dornier 228 is a twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft, designed and first manufactured by Dornier GmbH from 1981 until 1998. Two hundred and forty-five were built in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. In 1983, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bought a production licence and manufactured another 125 aircraft in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. In July 2017, 63 aircraft were still in airline service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuel cell vehicle</span> Vehicle that uses a fuel cell to power its electric motor

A fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell, sometimes in combination with a small battery or supercapacitor, to power its onboard electric motor. Fuel cells in vehicles generate electricity generally using oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen. Most fuel cell vehicles are classified as zero-emissions vehicles that emit only water and heat. As compared with internal combustion vehicles, hydrogen vehicles centralize pollutants at the site of the hydrogen production, where hydrogen is typically derived from reformed natural gas. Transporting and storing hydrogen may also create pollutants. Fuel cells have been used in various kinds of vehicles including forklifts, especially in indoor applications where their clean emissions are important to air quality, and in space applications. Fuel cells are being developed and tested in trucks, buses, boats, ships, motorcycles and bicycles, among other kinds of vehicles.

Hydrogen technologies are technologies that relate to the production and use of hydrogen as a part hydrogen economy. Hydrogen technologies are applicable for many uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric aircraft</span> Aircraft powered directly by electricity, with no other engine needed

An electric aircraft is an aircraft powered by electricity. Electric aircraft are seen as a way to reduce the environmental effects of aviation, providing zero emissions and quieter flights. Electricity may be supplied by a variety of methods, the most common being batteries. Most have electric motors driving propellers or turbines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental effects of aviation</span> Effect of emissions from aircraft engines

Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, raising environmental concerns over their global effects and their effects on local air quality. Jet airliners contribute to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide, the best understood greenhouse gas, and, with less scientific understanding, nitrogen oxides, contrails and particulates. Their radiative forcing is estimated at 1.3–1.4 that of CO2 alone, excluding induced cirrus cloud with a very low level of scientific understanding. In 2018, global commercial operations generated 2.4% of all CO2 emissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydrogen-powered aircraft</span> Type of airplane

A hydrogen-powered aircraft is an aeroplane that uses hydrogen fuel as a power source. Hydrogen can either be burned in a jet engine or another kind of internal combustion engine, or can be used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity to power an electric propulsor. It cannot be stored in a traditional wet wing, and hydrogen tanks have to be housed in the fuselage or be supported by the wing.

Pipistrel d.o.o Ajdovščina is a Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer established in 1989 by Ivo Boscarol and based in Ajdovščina. Its facilities are located in Ajdovščina, Slovenia, and near the town of Gorizia, Italy. By March 2019, Pipistrel had produced more than 2000 aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Taurus</span> Type of aircraft

The Pipistrel Taurus is a Slovenian self-launched two-seat microlight glider designed and built by Pipistrel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuel economy in aircraft</span> Aircraft fuel efficiency

The fuel economy in aircraft is the measure of the transport energy efficiency of aircraft. Fuel efficiency is increased with better aerodynamics and by reducing weight, and with improved engine brake-specific fuel consumption and propulsive efficiency or thrust-specific fuel consumption. Endurance and range can be maximized with the optimum airspeed, and economy is better at optimum altitudes, usually higher. An airline efficiency depends on its fleet fuel burn, seating density, air cargo and passenger load factor, while operational procedures like maintenance and routing can save fuel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies</span> Fuel cell manufacturers

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies is a manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cells based in Singapore. Founded in 2003, the company manufactures micro-size to multi-kilowatt scale (PEM) proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Additionally, it uses hydrogen storage and production methods, including hydrolysis, electrolysis and steam reforming.

Intelligent Energy is a fuel cell engineering business focused on the development, manufacture and commercialisation of its proton-exchange membrane fuel cell technologies for a range of markets including automotive, stationary power, materials handling equipment and UAVs. Headquartered in the UK with representation in the US, Japan, South Korea, and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright Electric</span> American Electric Aircraft Manufacturer

Wright Electric is an American startup company developing an electric airliner.

A hybrid electric aircraft is an aircraft with a hybrid electric powertrain. As the energy density of lithium-ion batteries is much lower than aviation fuel, a hybrid electric powertrain may effectively increase flight range compared to pure electric aircraft. By May 2018, there were over 30 hybrid electric aircraft projects, and short-haul hybrid-electric airliners were envisioned from 2032.

An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is a variety of VTOL aircraft that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically. This technology came about thanks to major advances in electric propulsion and the emerging need for new aerial vehicles for urban air mobility that can enable greener and quieter flights. Electric and hybrid propulsion systems (EHPS) have also the potential of lowering the operating costs of aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart Aerospace</span> Swedish startup company developing electric aircraft

Heart Aerospace is a Swedish startup company developing electric aircraft for regional travel.

The Climate Pledge Fund is a division of Amazon, set up to develop and manage investments in the climate technology space, as part of its Climate Pledge initiative. It is a corporate venture capital fund.

Many aviation-related events took place in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ecojet</span>

Ecojet Airlines Limited, styled as ecojet, is a proposed British regional airline based at Edinburgh Airport, Scotland. It aims to commence operations in early 2024 with flights to and from Edinburgh Airport.

References

  1. "EMEC hydrogen refuelling kit takes flight". reNEWS - Renewable Energy News. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  2. Smith, Iain Duncan (20 November 2020). "Batteries are expensive, inflexible and will leave us dangerously reliant on China". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. "British Airways Teams Up With Hydrogen Flight Startup ZeroAvia". Bloomberg.com. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  4. "British Airways teams up with ZeroAvia for hydrogen-powered flights". The National. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  5. Boatman, Julia (15 August 2019). "ZeroAvia Breaks Silence on Hydrogen-Powered Matrix". FlyingMag.
  6. "Is the time now ripe for planes to run on hydrogen?". The Economist. 8 December 2020. ISSN   0013-0613 . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "First high-power test for hydrogen aircraft engine complete at ZeroAvia". AeroSpace Manufacturing. 10 August 2021.
  8. "ZeroAvia secures £12.3m UK Government grant to bring 19-seat hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain to market". ZeroAvia. 16 December 2020.
  9. Freeman, Rob (8 April 2021). "Pioneering aircraft company lands in Gloucestershire". Punchline Gloucester.
  10. BBC (29 April 2021). "Occupants safe after plane crashes in Bedfordshire field". BBC News. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  11. Niles, Russ (1 May 2021). "ZeroAvia Hydrogen Test Bed Crashes After Off-Airport Landing". AV Web.
  12. Boatman, Julie (4 May 2021). "ZeroAvia Demonstrator Makes Off-Airport Landing". Flying Magazine.
  13. "AAIB investigation to Piper PA-46-350P (Modified), G-HYZA". GOV.UK. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  14. "ZeroAvia says has boosted safety culture after report into 2021 crash". AeroTime Hub. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  15. Blain, Loz (16 June 2022). "World's most efficient passenger plane gets hydrogen powertrain". New Atlas. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 Dominic Perry (19 January 2023). "ZeroAvia flies Do 228 modified with hydrogen fuel cell powertrain". Flightglobal.
  17. 1 2 "ZeroAvia Makes Aviation History, Flying World's Largest Aircraft Powered with a Hydrogen-Electric Engine" (Press release). ZeroAvia. 19 January 2023.
  18. Drum, Bruce (26 October 2021). "Alaska Air Group is collaborating with ZeroAvia to develop hydrogen powertrain for 76-seat zero-emission aircraft". World Airline News.
  19. Hill, Ed (15 December 2021). "De Havilland Canada and ZeroAvia sign MOU to develop hydrogen-electric engine for Dash 8-400 - Aerospace Manufacturing". aero-mag.com.
  20. Harrington, Tony (3 May 2023). "ZeroAvia receives Q400 regional aircraft from Alaska Airlines for hydrogen-electric retrofit – GreenAir News". Green Air.
  21. Hanna Ziady. "Bill Gates, Amazon and British Airways are backing a hydrogen plane startup". CNN. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  22. "ZeroAvia raises fresh cash for zero-emission hydrogen planes". Reuters. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  23. 1 2 "ZeroAvia raises new funding for hydrogen-electric engine development". www.aerospace-technology.com. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  24. "What's Trending in Aerospace - July 4, 2021". Aviation Today. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  25. Kaminski-Morrow, David (18 September 2023). "Airbus invests in ZeroAvia and aims to collaborate on certification". Flight Global.
  26. Doll, Scooter (16 January 2024). "ZeroAvia is exploring cryo-compressed hydrogen to produce longer-range planes". electrek.co. Retrieved 8 February 2024.