HyPoint Set To Begin Development Of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems

A $6.5 million dollar deal has been made between HyPoint and Piasecki Aircraft.

HyPoint will begin development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for the PA-890 aircraft, which according to the companies, will be the first crewed helicopter to be powered by hydrogen.

Piasecki has been working with HyPoint since March of this year, but the processes have now been formalized into a “multi-phase collaborative development agreement” that will finish with the creation of five 650-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell systems to use in the PA-890 compound helicopter.

Hypoint’s design uses compressed air for cooling and oxygen supply to deliver up to 2,000 watts per kilogram of specific power. Hypoint says the system will have up to 1,500 watt-hours per kilogram of energy density. 

“The much-anticipated arrival of eVTOLs and similar aircraft has been severely hindered by the technical limitations of existing power systems,” stated Dr. Alex Ivanenko, founder and CEO of HyPoint, in a press release. “This new strategic partnership will dramatically accelerate delivery timelines by equipping eVTOL manufacturers with next-generation hydrogen fuel cell systems that meet their unique needs.”

Piasecki said it working with the FAA and the US Air Force’s AFVERX program to outline certification.

“Initial lab testing funded by Piasecki last winter demonstrated the technical viability of HyPoint’s hydrogen fuel cell system,” stated Piasecki president and CEO John Piasecki. “While we are benchmarking HyPoint’s technology against alternatives and continue to rigorously test and validate findings, we are very optimistic. 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.”

FMI: www.piasecki.com