ScottishPower and ZeroAvia to develop H2 Aircraft refuelling
ScottishPower (Iberdrola) has signed an agreement with ZeroAvia to work together to develop low carbon hydrogen supply to key airport locations to support decarbonisation of the aviation sector. As well as exploring airport hydrogen supply models and financing, the companies will also explore clean power requirements and hydrogen production infrastructure for potential future ZeroAvia sites within ScottishPower’s distribution network areas across Scotland, North West England and North Wales.
Peter Jones, Director of ScottishPower’s Green Hydrogen Business, said: “Green hydrogen, powered by renewable energy, can play a key role in the decarbonisation of heavy transport. We welcome the opportunity to support the aviation industry in delivering effective solutions for this important sector, enabling long term sustainable and cost–effective outcomes for customers.”
ZeroAvia aircraft with EMEC (Orkney) hydrogen refueller at Kemble airport (photo: ZeroAvia)
ZeroAvia has also recently announced a 70 engine agreement with Scottish headquartered Ecojet, backed by the prominent environmentalist and entrepreneur Vince Dale. ZeroAvia also has a longstanding partnership with AGS Airports, including Glasgow and Aberdeen to explore the hydrogen infrastructure requirements for airports to support hydrogen-electric flight and other potential use cases.
Sergey Kiselev, Chief Business Officer, ZeroAvia, added: “With the plethora of existing renewables, and many projects planned, Scotland has the chance to lead the UK in developing clean hydrogen supply. Working with leading energy companies like ScottishPower can help us overcome fueling infrastructure challenges.”
Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission is water. ZeroAvia is already well advanced in flight testing a prototype of its first engines for 20 seat planes from its R&D hub in Gloucestershire, while working on the engine systems for larger 40-80 seat aircraft.
ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation with the mission of delivering a hydrogen-electric engine in every aircraft as the most environmentally and economically friendly solution for addressing the industry’s climate impact. The company is starting with engines to support a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by the end of 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027. Founded in California and now with teams also in Everett, WA and the United Kingdom, ZeroAvia has secured experimental certificates to test its engines in three separate testbed aircraft with the FAA and CAA and passed significant flight test milestones.