A company developing zero-emission airplane engines fueled by liquid hydrogen is opening a research facility at Stockton Metropolitan Airport.
ZeroAvia’s goal is to design and test trucks that can provide quick liquid hydrogen fill-ups to aircraft, ships or other heavy duty equipment. It’s being made possible by a $3.3 million grant from the California Energy Commission.
The company, with offices in Everett, Washington, and the United Kingdom, said in January it was starting work on the project at the airport in Livermore. It has been working on a 2,600-gallon mobile refueler that is hopes will work as fast as conventional aviation refuelers. Airlines demand quick refueling in order to keep their planes flying and making money.
“Stockton Metropolitan Airport provides us with an excellent environment to continue our work on liquid hydrogen refueling systems for hydrogen aircraft in California,” ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov said in a statement.
ZeroAvia has an ambitious schedule. It hopes to be able to support passenger and cargo flights using hydrogen-electric engines by the end of the year. It’s also working with Alaska Airlines to bring hydrogen-powered engines to a De Havilland Canada Dash-8 turboprop aircraft by 2027.
Development of the systems isn’t easy. To keep it in liquid form, hydrogen must be kept at extremely cold temperatures.
Automakers, including Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, have fielded hydrogen-powered cars for years now, but none have achieved the popularity of electric plug-in vehicles.
Stockton airport officials are optimistic about ZeroAvia’s planned facility. It could burnish the region’s hopes of becoming known for breakthrough technology and environmental prowess.
“The arrival of ZeroAvia at Stockton Metropolitan Airport is a positive step forward for our airport and the entire Stockton region,” Airport Director Richard Sokol said in a statement. “As we look toward the future of aviation, we recognize the importance of supporting and collaborating with companies that are making tangible strides in green energy.”