Electric Aviation Group Launches Megawatt Stack Fuel Cell Systems Development Business to Accelerate Decarbonisation of the Aviation Sector
The Electric Aviation Group (EAG) aims to develop the world’s first ‘True Zero i.e. targeting zero Carbon and NOx emissions’ 90-seater hydrogen hybrid-electric regional aircraft (H2ERA). To enable this, EAG’s immediate focus is on developing key enabling technologies at the right size and scale without which future green aircraft platforms cannot be delivered.
EAG is pleased to announce another achievement in the development of such enabling technologies, through the creation of Smart Megawatt Stack (SMS) Fuel Cell Systems Ltd.; a spin-off company to develop and commercialise Megawatt-class fuel cell stack systems for aerospace and non-aerospace applications.
Kamran Iqbal, Founder and CEO of EAG, said:The megawatt scale fuel stack system to be developed by this new venture is yet another key step to make EAG’s aircraft a reality. Our aircraft and its enabling technologies will become a blueprint for future larger and smaller green aircraft. It is the foundation to secure a leading share in the sustainable mass air transportation market. We have assembled the ‘best in class’ team with complementary capabilities to turn our vision into a reality.
SMS Fuel Cell Systems Ltd. brings together best in class complementary capabilities of its founders: EAG will contribute its unique patent portfolio, commercial leadership and access to a live aircraft programme; while other co-founders will bring deep subject matter expertise and track record in developing technology companies in the hydrogen sector.
SMS Fuel Systems Ltd. will develop Smart Megawatt Scale (SMS) fuel cell stack systems for large aircraft applications. This megawatt scale fuel cell stack systems can also be used in other sectors, such as HGV, Shipping and Rail, offering a significant technology permeation potential, further enabling the decarbonisation of the transportation sector.
Julian Fielden-Page, Atkins Market Director Future Flight, said:EAG is a high-profile disruptor at the forefront of driving innovation in Net Zero aerospace. The formation of SMS Fuel Systems is yet another tangible step that brings EAG closer to achieving their vision.
SMS Fuel Cell Systems’ Founding Team includes Kamran Iqbal, CEO of Electric Aviation Group, and world leading experts from Imperial College London:
- Professor Nigel Brandon, Dean of Engineering, Founder of AIM-listed Ceres Power and Co-Founder of RFC Power
- Professor Anthony Kucernak, Professor of Chemical Physics and Co-Founder of Bramble Energy, RFC Power and SweetGen
- Dr Billy Wu, Senior Lecturer in the Dyson School of Design Engineering with expertise in electrochemical devices and manufacturing and manages a multi-million pound portfolio of research projects with partners such as: Shell, Aston Martin, Johnson Matthey, ANSYS, Williams Advanced Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, Dukosi, Arcola Energy (Ballard) and others.
- Dr Huizhi Wang, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a group leader of the Electrochemical Science & Engineering Group. She holds an EPSRC fellowship and is a Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator of research projects worth more than £10M.
Professor Nigel Brandon, Dean of Engineering at Imperial College London, said:There are great opportunities to develop new fuel cell solutions for aerospace applications, and we are looking forward to working with Electric Aviation Group to put these into practice.
EAG has been working with Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, since 2021. This collaboration provides EAG with multi-layered support, from specialist strategy advisory to safety assessments and specification, integration and certification.
Professor Anthony Kucernak, Professor of Chemical Physics, said:Electrification of air transport using MW-class hydrogen fuel cell technology represents an exciting and transformative area which will accelerate the deployment of greener transport options.
This article was originally published by Electric Aviation Group.
