Imagine a plane that runs on hydrogen instead of kerosene, leaving no carbon footprint. This system uses a special fuel cell to create electricity and steam, which is then fed into the engine to cut harmful nitrogen pollutants by half. It is like combining a high-tech battery with a jet engine to make flying cleaner.
Aviation faces strict mandates to reach climate neutrality by 2050, but current engines produce high CO2 and NOx emissions. There is a lack of validated architectures for integrating high-power fuel cells with gas turbines for regional aircraft.
A simulation platform for SOFC-GT integration, a control approach for IPPS, and two physical demonstrators: a hybrid-electric test-rig and a high-pressure combustor with steam ingestion.
If you are a regional aircraft manufacturer dealing with strict 2050 climate neutrality targets — this project developed a propulsion system with more than one megawatt power that eliminates CO2 emissions entirely.
If you are a jet engine developer dealing with high NOx emissions — this project developed a high-pressure combustor with steam ingestion that enables a reduction in NOx emissions of at least 50%.
If you are a hydrogen fuel system provider dealing with the complexity of integrating fuel cells into aircraft — this project developed coupling technologies based on the ARP 4754A safe design process.
Based on available project data, there is no specific pricing or cost-per-unit information provided for the propulsion system.
The project aims to advance technologies toward TRL3 using Proof-of-Concept demonstrators, meaning it is currently in the early validation stage and not yet at industrial scale.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, although the project will provide an open-access database on hydrogen combustion with steam injection.
The integration of the fuel cell with the gas turbine considers the safe design process in aviation based on the ARP 4754A standard.
The project uses an Integrated Power and Propulsion System (IPPS) architecture that combines a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a hydrogen-fuelled gas turbine.
The consortium consists of 6 partners across 5 countries (DE, FR, IT, NL, UK). It is heavily research-oriented, with 4 universities and 1 research organization, while industry representation is low at 17% (1 partner). This indicates the project is focused on fundamental technical validation rather than immediate commercial production.
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