Hydrogen-electric aviation startup ZeroAvia will make some of its powertrain components available to other “clean aviation innovators” in an attempt to maximise its profits.
In order to facilitate the mass production of its hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor tech for the wider market, ZeroAvia has opened a “Propulsion Center of Excellence” in Everett in Washington state, USA. The firm said it plans to open a further “Hydrogen Center of Excellence” to produce hydrogen power cells.
The company explained the change in approach is intended to earn back money invested in its research and development, as well as widening the impact of its emission-free technology on the clean aviation sector. Its stated aim is to transform from an “ambitious startup into a clean aerospace manufacturing powerhouse.”
CEO and founder Val Miftakhov explained the strategy: “Today we set forth plans that detail how we are going to bring our engines to market for commercial aircraft as well as the additional market potential in components generated by our pursuit of aerospace applicable fuel cell and electric propulsion technologies.
“We intend to secure as much market share for commercial aviation propulsion systems as possible as this will enhance shareholder value and ensure we deliver in tackling climate impact in the sector. While the market for our powertrains is thousands of engines across commercial aircraft, there will be other applications that are not strategically aligned with our full engine offering, but where our technologies can play a major role in the supply chain for other OEMs.”
ZeroAvia outlined the components it aims to make available for other hydrogen-electric aviation developers:
- Advanced electric motors for aviation, including a 660 kW max-power direct-drive motor capable of speeds up to 2,200 rpm, and the HyperCore 900kW modular motor capable of speeds up to 20,000 rpm.
- Silicon carbide inverters – The 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverter design offers a power density above 20 kW/kg and is available in single (225kW peak / 200kW continuous) and dual (450kW peak / 400kW continuous) configurations. The inverters are designed and produced following aerospace standards, allowing a high-power density and reduced weight with advanced thermal management technologies and integration to enable reliable high performance for high altitude and engine compartment location.
- Low temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LT-PEM) fuel cell configurations (in partnership with PowerCell) – ZeroAvia’s SuperStack Flex architecture is a customizable 100-400kW fuel cell power generation platform designed to meet a range of different aerospace power, performance, and packaging requirements, while maintaining exceptional pressure, mass flow rate, humidity, and temperature control.
- High temperature PEM (HT-PEM) fuel cell stacks and full power generation systems – ZeroAvia’s High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell stack is a turbo-air cooled modular system which offers up to 3.5 kW/kg specific power, supporting a variety of traditional aviation and VTOL applications.
- Aviation fuel cell compressor is a leading-edge compressor capable of supporting up to 900kW fuel cell applications up to 15,000 feet. The compressor is designed specifically for fuel cell applications and designed for aerospace standards from the start.
At the opening of the Washington facility, the state’s Governor Jay Inslee described the development of zero emission aviation was “necessary” for the state’s economy, as the home of US aviation manufacturing.
“This opening is another milestone in Washington’s long history at the cutting edge of aviation and aerospace innovation. The transition to clean fuels is not only necessary to turn the tide against climate change and its devastating health impacts, it also secures Washington’s continued economic dynamism well into the future,” he said.
