In-flight auxiliary power to be powered exclusively by hydrogen during Airbus trials
Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of Airbus focused on accelerating the development of sustainable aviation solutions, has announced a flight demonstration for its groundbreaking HyPower hydrogen fuel cell system. The demonstration, set to take place by the end of 2025, aims to revolutionize the power balance in aerial applications by providing a scalable, clean, and efficient alternative to conventional Auxiliary Power Units (APUs).
The HyPower system will replace the APU of an A330 aircraft, with a modified Airbus A330 and a ground test bed of the system slated for the flight test campaign. The demonstrator will showcase the operability and integration of the hydrogen fuel cell system, including refueling the aircraft with hydrogen.
The HyPower system converts hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical process, producing only water as a byproduct. This results in zero carbon emissions from the auxiliary power source, aligning with the aviation industry's sustainability goals. By employing fuel cells, the HyPower system can provide a more stable and efficient electrical supply for aircraft systems on the ground and potentially in flight, reducing reliance on more fuel-intensive engine bleed air or APUs.
The flight demonstration will take place under realistic conditions, with the aircraft climbing to 25,000 ft and flying for one hour with 10kg of gaseous hydrogen on board. The demonstrator aims to provide more evidence of the stability and functionality of hydrogen fuel cells in-flight, including its restart.
The program is led from Airbus UpNext's facilities in Spain, with the Spanish Government and external partners playing a key role in enabling the series of tests for the flight demonstration. The goal of the program is to explore a new architecture for generating non-propulsive energy through the use of hydrogen fuel cells, both on the ground and in flight.
The HyPower system is part of Airbus's broader hydrogen strategy, which includes exploring hydrogen as a primary fuel for propulsion. By developing hydrogen-based auxiliary power, Airbus is building the infrastructure and technologies needed for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. The demonstration is a significant step in Airbus UpNext's decarbonisation journey and ZEROe programme.
Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext, has expressed his excitement about the potential of the HyPower system: "This flight demonstration marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable aviation future. We believe that hydrogen will play a crucial role in reducing emissions from aviation, and the HyPower demonstrator is a testament to our commitment to making this vision a reality."
With the HyPower demonstrator, Airbus UpNext is aiming to improve power balance and efficiency, reduce emissions, and pave the way for broader hydrogen adoption in aviation. The demonstrator will contribute to maturing the safety and operations of future hydrogen-powered aircraft, taking us one step closer to a greener and more efficient aviation industry.
The HyPower system, an integral part of Airbus's hydrogen strategy, is set to be demonstrated in environmental-science experiments focused on climate-change mitigation within the aviation industry. By showcasing the operational efficiency and safety of hydrogen fuel cells, this demonstrator aims to advance space-and-astronomy-related technologies and promote technology innovations for a more sustainable future.
