Plug Power To Bring Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion System to Airflow’s Aircraft

The pursuit of carbon-neutral aviation is on!

Plug Power tagged up with Airflow to start developing a hydrogen fuel cell-based propulsion system for the aerospace company’s electric Short Takeoff and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The Airflow Model 200 aircraft will fly up to 500 miles with nine passengers, or 2,000 pounds of cargo, without generating any carbon emissions. 

To achieve this vision, Airflow and Plug Power will integrate and test a full-scale, ground-based powertrain prototype. Following this successful ground demonstration, the teams will then retrofit the powertrain into the aircraft. 

Plug Power will also serve as Airflow’s preferred hydrogen provider by building refueling infrastructure at airports to support Airflow customers. At Albany International Airport, Plug Power’s hydrogen fuel cell solutions power ground support equipment.

Working with Airflow is a key piece of Plug Power’s ongoing strategy to bring its proven hydrogen ProGen fuel cell technology to new markets. Plug Power is significantly expanding its aerospace fuel cell system capabilities and applications with UAVs as well as aircraft with different weight restrictions and other unique requirements. Previously, Plug Power partnered with Universal Hydrogen to develop a fuel cell-based hydrogen powertrain for regional aircraft. 

“Over the last several years, we’ve been increasing our commitment to the aerospace market, from our investment in and partnership with Universal Hydrogen to our acquisition of EnergyOr,” said Plug Power President and CEO Andy Marsh. “We are committed to ensuring our ProGen solutions meet the ultralightweight and rigorous certification requirements of the aviation sector, and our partnership with Airflow helps us in establishing a complete ecosystem for the aviation market.”

“Plug Power produces and supplies affordable green hydrogen at scale to experienced aerospace companies flying a variety of missions and aircraft classes,” said Marc Ausman, CEO and co-founder, Airflow. “This initial investment from Plug Power is important to our ongoing development work, and we’re thrilled to have an industry leader in the hydrogen economy supporting our ambitious objectives. We see hydrogen fuel cell technology as a key component of our next-generation power systems, which along with Sustainable Aviation Fuel-based hybrid systems and advanced battery systems allow us to provide options to our customers looking for an aircraft that best meets their individual mission needs and sustainability goals.”