PowerCell develops next generation aviation fuel cells as part of the EU’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking

PowerCell has joined the Newborn project, part of EU’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, that aims to develop environmentally sustainable aviation. The project will focus on developing an aerospace-certified megawatt-class fuel cell propulsion system, which will be powered by hydrogen.

The EU´s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking encompasses a total of 20 projects with a budget exceeding EUR 700 million and aims to support the EU Green Deal. The Newborn project is led by Honeywell, a leader in the global aviation industry, together with 18 partners from ten European countries.

PowerCell will bring its knowledge and state-of-the-art fuel cell technology onboard the Newborn project and develop a new 300 kW product platform. PowerCell has a leading position in fuel cell electric powertrains for aviation and recently signed a contract with ZeroAvia for the industry’s first series deliveries of fuel cell stacks for aircrafts.

“I am excited that PowerCell has joined the Newborn project,” says Lisa Kylhammar, SVP Engineering at PowerCell Sweden AB. “I am convinced that the collaboration within the project between our leading fuel cell engineers and experts from the aviation industry will allow us to challenge the limits of how light and energy dense stacks can be produced.”

Many other industries have the same requirements for high power density for a fuel stack as the aviation industry. Therefore, PowerCell expects to be able to apply this future product platform to other customer segments which have high demands on durability and resistance.

“We are proud to have been selected to be part of project Newborn,” says Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell. “We are committed to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement and an important part of this commitment is to be part of the development of emission-free aviation.”