A new EU-funded project has been set up to create the first completely electric intercity aircraft.
The project, which has received 2.9 million Euro in EU funding, has been designed with the intention of combating global warming by using fuel cell technology for aircraft propulsion, and hydrogen storage.
"Hydrogen and fuel cell power technologies have now reached the point where they can be exploited to initiate a new era of propulsion systems for light aircraft and small commuter aircraft," according to the coordinator of the project Professor Romeo Giulio, who is also Professor of Airplane Design and Aerospace Structures from the Turin Polytechnic University.
The technology will also be used to replace or improve on-board electrical systems.
Utilisation of fuel cell technology will mean low greenhouse gas emissions, as well as low noise emissions. These features are seen as important for commuter aeroplanes, which usually take off and land in urban areas.
Take off and landings without contravening noise abatement regulations will also allow the use of airfields late at night, when noise regulations are the most stringent.
The fuel cell system will be installed in selected aircraft, which will be flight and performance tested as a proof-of-concept for future applicability in other intercity aircraft.
The results of the project will be presented at both on-ground and in-flight public events at the end of the three year research project.
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