ZeroAvia and PowerCell to explore higher temperature fuel cells for aviation

`ZeroAvia will work closely with supplier PowerCell Group to develop its next generation of fuel cell technologies suitable for hydrogen aviation.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), ZeroAvia will support the Swedish manufacturer in developing higher-temperature fuel cells. This can allow for a reduction in cooling and humification, “simplifying the architecture and improving the amount of power for a given unit of weight.”

Currently, ZeroAvia is designing a multi-stack balance-of-plant system using PowerCell’s low-temperature PEM stacks applicable to aviation, making them a key supplier to the first 600kW powertrain (ZA600) for 20-seat aircraft.

ZeroAvia’s high-temperature PEM (HT-PEM) fuel cell stacks are expected to help deliver a ZA2000 powertrain for 40-80-seat aircraft. H2 View understands ZeroAvia has already demonstrated an “industry record power density” of over 2.5kW/kg at the cell level, with plans to reach 3+kW/kg in the coming months. Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO at ZeroAvia, claimed the agreement with PowerCell will deliver change in the industry faster.

PoweCell’s CEO, Richard Berkling, added, “We’re confident that the first hydrogen-electric aircraft will be flying commercially in the upcoming years.

“When that happens, it will have a snowball effect as the environmental and operating cost benefits become clear to airlines and their passengers. For PowerCell, this is a key future market, and we are delighted to be deepening our partnership with the leader in this space to develop solutions to enable more clean flights, removing more emissions.”

In July (2024), Scotland’s Ecojet announced it would purchase 22 ZA2000 engines from ZeroAvia, with an option for a further 40 engines. The airline is aiming to become the first fully electric commercial carrier.