H3 Dynamics Supplies Airbus Upnext with a 0.5MW Hydrogen Fuel Cell for APU Testing

Found in regular aircraft, the APU serves as an additional engine that operates on standard jet fuel. The APU is used to support non-propulsive functions like air conditioning and to provide electrical power for onboard systems.

Therefore, unlike main power propulsion applications that demand multiple megawatts of continuous power, which in turn necessitates a substantial quantity of hydrogen, lower power non-propulsive alternatives can offer a near-term opportunity in decarbonizing operations both in the air and on the ground.

H3 Dynamics Fuel Cell tested by Airbus in representative operations at the Centro Nacional de Hidrogeno in Puertollano, Spain. © 2024 Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno

In the development of the fuel cell, new design elements and integration techniques will contribute in the enhancement of operational parameters and will showcase the stable functionality of a fuel cell.

In the media release, H3 Dynamics mentioned that they are currently providing a full line up of advanced hydrogen solutions across the aviation value chain: from 50kW to 2MW fuel cell systems that address in-flight power and airport ground equipment, to multi-MW-scale on-site hydrogen production systems for e-fuel production as well as the start of hydrogen airport hubs.