NLR takes an important step towards flying on liquid hydrogen, a promising development to make aviation more sustainable. To make this possible, the research institution has concluded an agreement with zepp.solutions for the development of a fuel cell system. This collaboration is an important pillar in NLR's ambition to carry out a demo flight on liquid hydrogen in 2026.

NLR has the ambition to carry out a manned flight on liquid hydrogen within the foreseeable future. To make this possible, NLR will expand its electrically powered research aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, with a hydrogen powertrain. A crucial element is the fuel cell system, which zepp.solutions will develop. Zepp, a Dutch SME, has years of experience in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology and specializes in the development of fuel cell systems.

More sustainable aviation

This agreement makes an important contribution to the showcase of the NLR 'Climate-Neutral Aviation' program, which focuses on the development of innovative and sustainable technologies with the aim of making aviation climate neutral by 2050 at the latest.

The new collaboration between NLR and zepp gives substance to a joint focus to take concrete steps within the Dutch aviation ecosystem in the direction of sustainable aviation. Zepp has the ambition to develop fuel cell systems for aviation and can make a clear contribution with this collaboration. As a launching customer in this sector, NLR offers zepp the opportunity to demonstrate and further develop its technology. The system that zepp will develop will be integrated into the Pipistrel. This small electrically powered aircraft offers NLR the opportunity to demonstrate innovative technologies.

Demo flight

Zepp will not only develop the fuel cell system, but will also be involved in the integration into the Pipistrel and all test activities up to the demo flight. This approach ensures that we make optimal use of each other's knowledge and skills, which increases the chance of success of the demo flight.

Arjen Kloosterman, NLR project leader of the showcase: “NLR aims to gain knowledge and experience with the development and integration of hydrogen components and powertrains for manned aviation. The biggest challenges, in addition to physical integration, are the airworthiness and safety aspects associated with the introduction of hydrogen on board an aircraft. The entire process, up to the demo flight that is now planned in 2026, provides us with valuable knowledge and insights for the integration of hydrogen technology and thus forms a prelude to further developments and the implementation of this technology in the aviation sector. The collaboration with zepp is an essential step for us and will make an important contribution to NLR's KLV showcase”.

Jan Bot, co-founder of zepp.solutions, joins in. “Our fuel cell technology has already proven itself in various sectors. We bring a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to developing efficient and compact fuel cell systems. However, aviation offers completely different challenges. This collaboration, and to be able to learn from each other in this way, is therefore extremely valuable. In the development of the hydrogen system for the Pipistrel, together with NLR, we will not only show the possibilities of hydrogen in aviation, but we will also learn lessons that can be of great value for this sector.”