Hydrogen-powered flight advancement to be promoted by ZAL and H3 Dynamics
ZAL and Partners Embrace Hydrogen in Aerospace Innovations
ZAL, the Centre for Applied Aeronautical Research in Hamburg, Germany, is at the forefront of a new wave of hydrogen-powered aerospace technology. The research center, which occupies an area of over 26,000 square meters and is home to a team of over 600 researchers, is currently expanding with a new building section set to open in 2024.
One of ZAL's key collaborations is with the UAV company Wingcopter. Together, they aim to develop a hydrogen-powered drone for medical logistics in remote areas. This partnership is part of ZAL's focus on the accelerated use of hydrogen in aerospace, particularly in unmanned aerospace, refueling of commercial aircraft, and ground operations.
Another significant collaboration for ZAL is with H3 Dynamics, a company that plans to establish a site at ZAL's Tech Center. H3 Dynamics, founded by Taras Wankewycz, is focused on the development of hydrogen utilization in aerospace and advanced air mobility. Wankewycz has mentioned close cooperation with Germany's manned and unmanned aerospace ecosystem.
H3 Dynamics also aims to increase its production of lightweight fuel cell systems for hydrogen-powered UAVs. This aligns with ZAL's goal of increasing its presence in sustainable aerospace and technology innovations.
The ZAL Tech Center, located in Hamburg, Germany, is no stranger to collaborations. It boasts over 30 industry and science partners, including Airbus, Lufthansa Technik, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In May 2023, Sungreen H2, a Singaporean scale-up, used ZAL's facilities to further develop a high-performance electrolyzer in partnership with Hamburg Invest.
The research topics at ZAL are diverse, ranging from digital cabins and cabin acoustics to robotics and automation. Notably, HHLA Sky, a company associated with ZAL, has developed a cybersecurity certificate for a drone system.
In addition to these collaborations, H3 Dynamics is not the only company setting up shop at ZAL's Tech Center. H3 Dynamics plans to coexist with H3 Dynamics at the center, as H3 Dynamics has announced its plans to open a new site there. Roland Gerhards, CEO of ZAL, is pleased with H3 Dynamics' plans, expressing his excitement for the future collaborations that will ensue.
As ZAL and its partners continue to push the boundaries of hydrogen-powered aerospace technology, the future of sustainable aviation looks promising. The collaborations between these companies promise to drive innovation and bring about a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.
