Under the agreement, the aviation firm will work with the airport, municipal energy company Skellefteå Kraf, and Braathens Regional Airlines to demonstrate hydrogen-powered flight, with hopes of launching commercial operations.
As one of the largest Swedish domestic operators, Braathens Regional Airlines plans to provide aircraft for future demonstrations and has said it will examine the potential for operating a range of regional aircraft on commercial passenger route’s using both ZeroAvia’s ZA600 powertrain for 9-19 seat aircraft, and its ZA2000 for 40-80 seat aircraft.
In January this year (2023), ZeroAvia recorded its first flight powered by a hydrogen-electric system in a 19-seat Dornier 228 testbed aircraft, retrofitted with its ZA600 powertrain.
Read more: ZeroAvia records first flight powered by hydrogen-electric engine
Skallefteå Airport will look into the operational infrastructure to support the hydrogen-powered flights and opportunities for further decarbonisation of the airport presented by green hydrogen.
The energy company, Skellefteå Kraft has said it will explore the potential for hydrogen production and supply as part of the project. With experience of renewable generation in the region, the company manages hydroelectric power stations as well as the Blaiken onshore wind farm.
“Sweden is one of the most ambitious countries in the world in pursuit of Net Zero targets for aviation, with an overall fossil fuel-free aspiration by 2045, and planning for all domestic flights to be fossil free by 2030,” said James Peck, Chief Commercial Officer at ZeroAvia.
Peck continued, “Aviation will become a larger proportion of emissions as other sectors abate, so the country will need to see truly zero emission air travel that goes beyond combustion fuels. Bold projects such as the one planned for Skellefteå are crucial in this endeavour.”
Ann-Christine Schmidt, Head of R&D and Hydrogen at Skellefteå Kraft, said, “By reviewing the conditions together with ZeroAvia, Skellefteå Airport and Braathens Regional Airlines, we will more quickly increase understanding and our readiness to support future hydrogen-powered aircrafts.”
Robert Lindberg, CEO of Skellefteå Airport, added, “We see an increasing travel demand in the northern part of all Nordic countries. If we manage to test, develop and commercialise hydrogen aviation solutions in Skellefteå, we can help increase regional connectivity in a truly sustainable way.”
Last week (March 20), ZeroAvia signed an agreement with Fortum to develop hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure in the Nordics.
Read more: ZeroAvia and Fortum sign MoU to establish a hydrogen aviation network in the Nordics
The Swedish plans come in just the latest airline and airport collaborations for ZeroAvia, having already announced agreement with airports in the Netherlands, Canada, and the UK. Additionally, the company has signed deals with the likes of American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and more, seeing provisional orders for its hydrogen-electric powertrains.
A Successful Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen – London
It is becoming ever clearer that the entire green hydrogen ecosystem requires alignment. Hydrogen’s potential, performance, and safety are proven. Green hydrogen is widely accepted as a core pathway to Net Zero, yet the key levers in the transition are not yet in-sync.
At H2 View we recognise the increasingly challenging economic climate that various countries/economies are currently facing. We want to help as many companies as possible in the hydrogen space to achieve their needs as competitively and logically as possible. As a result, we felt it was a compelling decision to relocate our previously planned event in Iceland, to a venue in London.
Join H2 View in London, one of the foremost investment capitals of the world, for a 1.5-day event devoted to thought leadership, insights, and actionable takeaways in the green hydrogen ecosystem, combined with the connections and networking to deliver against those objectives.
This H2 View hydrogen summit is dedicated to dissecting the ecosystem requirements to truly realise a green hydrogen-fuelled future across industries, transport, and society. This event will tackle all sides of the energy ecosystem, from wind and solar power requirements to additionality, water sustainability, electrolyser technologies, and investment and policy climate.
You can find more information at h2-viewevents.com.