The University of Nottingham has initiated a £5.3 million research program to back the development, production, and testing of a groundbreaking cryogenic hydrogen-electric propulsion system. This endeavor is part of a pioneering £44m project spearheaded by GKN Aerospace, in collaboration with Parker Meggitt, and the Universities of Manchester and Nottingham. The project is supported by the UK Government through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) program.
Moreover, the ATI program, which focuses on civil aerospace research, is implemented in partnership by the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Department for Business and Trade, and Innovate UK.
The H2FlyGHT collaborative initiative aims to create a 2-megawatt (MW) cryogenic hydrogen-electric propulsion system, which will set new benchmarks for the next generation of larger sustainable aircraft. The project will exhibit an integrated propulsion system at the 2 MW scale, encompassing fuel cell power generation, cryogenic power distribution, and advanced cryogenic drive systems.
The Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) research group at the University of Nottingham will play a crucial role in supporting the full motor design and scale-up, and cryogenic inverter technology development, vital for the advancement of high-power, efficient propulsion systems.
Furthermore, the university’s new hydrogen propulsion systems facility, funded by a recent £70 million grant from Research England and industry co-investment, will be utilized for this program. Engineers onsite will utilize this facility for research and development purposes, which includes a cryogenics lab, systems integration lab, and an altitude environment chamber capable of testing a megawatt fuel cell along with battery and electrical motor systems. The facility is strategically located adjacent to the high-power, 20+ MW testing capabilities of the Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC), bolstering the university’s reputation as a leader in electrification research.
In the words of Chris Gerada, Professor of Electrical Machines at the University of Nottingham, “The vision of net zero air travel is within our sights. However, to get there we must push the limits of what is technically possible.” He emphasized the importance of the new propulsion research infrastructure on campus, citing its ability to facilitate industry collaboration, research, and prototype development. This, in turn, will enable businesses to future-proof their operations and contribute to the economic growth of the East Midlands region.
