(Amsterdam, Netherlands) – The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and Zepp Solutions BV, a Dutch company specializing in the development of fuel cell systems, plan to jointly develop an aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen. To this end, the NLR will equip its electrically powered research aircraft, the "Velis Electro," manufactured by the Slovenian aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel, with a hydrogen propulsion system. A "crucial element" of the project is the fuel cell system from Zepp Solutions. According to a press release, a demonstration flight is already planned for 2026.
Agreeing to cooperate: NLR's Financial Director, Peter Kersten (left) and Zepp Solutions' co-founder, Jonas Brendelberger. © Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)
The NLR offers Zepp the opportunity to demonstrate and further develop its technology as a first customer in this sector, the companies said. This agreement is "an important contribution to the NLR Climate Neutral Aviation program," which focuses on the development of innovative and sustainable technologies with the aim of making air transport climate neutral by 2050 at the latest.
Zepp will not only develop the fuel cell system, but will also be involved in the integration into the Pipistrel and all test activities up to the demo flight. "Our fuel cell technology has already proven itself in various industries," says Jan Bot, co-founder of Zepp Solutions. "However, aviation presents completely different challenges." In addition to the physical integration, these are in particular "the airworthiness and safety aspects associated with the introduction of hydrogen on board an aircraft," says Arjen Kloosterman, head of the NLR showcase project. The entire process up to the demo flight provides valuable insights for the integration of hydrogen technology and is thus "a prelude to the further development and implementation of this technology in aviation."
Photo above
NLR and Zepp Solution want to convert Pipistrel's electrically powered research aircraft "Velis Electro" to fuel cell propulsion. Space is being created under the cockpit for the propulsion system (green). © Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)
