NLR has the ambition to perform a manned flight on liquid hydrogen in the foreseeable future. To make this possible, NLR will expand its electrically powered research aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, with a hydrogen powertrain. A crucial element is the fuel cell system, which will be developed by zepp.solutions. Zepp, a Dutch SME, has years of experience in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology and specializes in developing fuel cell systems.
More sustainable aviation
This agreement makes an important contribution to the showcase of the NLR program ' Climate-neutral aviation ', which focuses on the development of innovative and sustainable technologies with the aim of making aviation climate neutral by 2050 at the latest.
The new collaboration between NLR and zepp gives substance to a joint focus to take concrete steps towards sustainable aviation within the Dutch aviation ecosystem. Zepp has the ambition to develop fuel cell systems for aviation and can make a clear contribution with this collaboration. As a launching customer in this sector, NLR offers zepp the opportunity to demonstrate and further develop its technology. The system that zepp will develop will be integrated into the Pipistrel. This small electrically powered aircraft offers NLR the opportunity to demonstrate innovative technologies.
Demo flight
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. This approach ensures that we make optimal use of each other's knowledge and skills, which increases the chance of success of the demo flight.
Arjen Kloosterman, NLR project leader of the showcase: “With this project, NLR aims to gain knowledge and experience in the development and integration of hydrogen components and drivetrains for manned aviation. The biggest challenges, in addition to the physical integration, are the airworthiness and safety aspects associated with the introduction of hydrogen on board an aircraft. The entire process, up to the demonstration flight that is now planned for 2026, provides us with valuable knowledge and insights for the integration of hydrogen technology and thus forms a prelude to further developments and the implementation of this technology in the aviation sector. The collaboration with zepp is an essential step for us and will make an important contribution to NLR's KLV showcase.”
Jan Bot, co-founder of zepp.solutions, agrees. “Our fuel cell technology has already proven itself in various sectors. We bring a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to developing efficient and compact fuel cell systems. However, aviation offers completely different challenges. This collaboration, and being able to learn from each other in this way, is therefore incredibly valuable. In the development of the hydrogen system for the Pipistrel, we will not only demonstrate the possibilities of hydrogen in aviation together with NLR, but we will also learn lessons that can be of great value to this sector.”
