Hypoint & Piasecki Secure $6.5M for Hydrogen Fuel Cell EVTOL Systems

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Gain Traction in eVTOL Development

A review of leading electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) companies reveals a commonality: most are focusing on battery-powered aircraft. However, an increasing number of aviation firms are exploring hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative.

This shift is driven by concerns regarding the energy density limitations inherent in lithium-ion batteries. These companies believe hydrogen fuel cells offer a more viable long-term solution for powering the next generation of aircraft.

HyPoint and Piasecki Partner to Advance Hydrogen Technology

HyPoint, a two-year-old company specializing in hydrogen fuel cell technology, has been collaborating with eVTOL developers such as ZeroAvia. They are focused on developing air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell systems.

These systems boast a power-to-weight ratio three times greater than that of conventional liquid-cooled hydrogen fuel cells. Now, HyPoint is expanding its partnerships to include Piasecki Aircraft Corporation.

The collaboration is formalized through a $6.5 million, multi-stage development agreement. This agreement centers on the design and subsequent certification of hydrogen fuel cell systems.

HyPoint intends to supply five complete, 650 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell systems to Piasecki for ground testing, demonstration flights, and the certification process.

Performance Goals and Cost Advantages

The overarching goal is to engineer a system that surpasses existing technologies in several key areas. This includes achieving four times the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries.

Furthermore, the system aims to deliver double the specific power of existing hydrogen fuel cell systems, while reducing operational costs by as much as 50% compared to turbine-powered rotorcraft. A prototype of this innovative technology was showcased in March.

Exclusive Licensing and Broader Availability

Piasecki will secure an exclusive license for the technology developed through this partnership. The company plans to integrate it into its PA-890 manned helicopter.

This would position the PA-890 as the first hydrogen-powered helicopter available on the market. Importantly, HyPoint will retain exclusive ownership of the core fuel cell system technology.

Both companies have expressed their intention to extend the availability of the system to other eVTOL manufacturers. “Piasecki is ready to support other eVTOL makers with Hypoint,” stated HyPoint CEO Alex Ivanenko.

Development Timeline and Certification Roadmap

The partnership began with a feasibility study, culminating in a small-scale prototype demonstrating the concept’s viability. Currently, the focus is on the design phase.

This involves constructing a single power module – of which each 650 kW system comprises several – and developing an integration concept for Piasecki’s aircraft. The initial power module is expected to be completed by the end of the current year.

Delivery of the first complete 650 kW system to Piasecki is scheduled for 2023, with a commercially available product anticipated around 2025.

A detailed certification roadmap has been established. This roadmap outlines the necessary milestones for HyPoint to deliver systems in alignment with testing and demonstration flight requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Our objective is to develop full-scale systems within two years to support on-aircraft certification testing in 2024 and fulfill existing customer orders for up to 325 units starting in 2025,” explained John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki.