Results Increase General Industry Understanding Of The Technology And Its Potential

Fuel cell technology is emerging as a potential solution for emissions-free ground operations for commercial aircraft, which has prompted Airbus to partner with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in examining the potential of this technology. As part of that evaluation process, fuel cells were integrated into existing aircraft and successfully performed the first flight test on a civil transport aircraft in 2008. In that test, the fuel cell system provided power for the aircraft’s back-up systems.

DLR Airbus Test Aircraft

In order to gain more details on the potential of fuel cell technology as supply for electric power in aircraft ground operation, a DLR designed technology demonstrator has been installed in the DLR owned A320 fuel cell test aircraft at the Airbus site in Hamburg. The technology demonstrator consists of a fuel cell powering an electric motor which drives the nose landing gear wheels allowing the aircraft to taxi autonomously. The objective of these tests is to further validate the potential of the integrated fuel cell technology for powering future aircraft functionalities such as autonomous taxiing. The data collected in the tests will be analysed by Airbus and the DLR to further develop the overall integration of this technology and potential further optimisation possibilities.

Within the joint R&T activities, Airbus is in charge of the overall aircraft system architecture and technology integration into the aircraft, whereas the DLR is driving some of the basic research activities for aerospace fuel cell technology. The landing gear itself with the integrated DLR-designed fuel cell powered motor is provided by Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg.

Basic Fuel Cell Schematic

Airbus considers fuel cell technology as a key contributor to the ACARE 2020 goals, which foresee the reduction of CO2 emissions by 50%, NOx emissions by 80% and noise by 50%. Consequently Airbus is pursuing engagement of industrial research partners in that field. In addition Airbus is strongly engaging in implementing and testing bio-fuel technology and actively supports the installation of local bio-fuel value-chains around the world. With regard to wider initiatives such as Air Traffic Management (ATM), Airbus co-operates with all the protagonists to deliver the best solutions for airlines and the environment. Airbus has a leading role in the SESAR program to improve the efficiency of European ATM and works with teams involved in the NEXT GEN project designed to do the same for US ATM.

FMI: www.airbus.com. www.dlr.de/en