The UK Civil Aviation Authority has opened applications calling on industry, academia and other organisations to join its Regulatory Sandbox to test hydrogen aviation technologies, the use of AI to support hydrogen adoption, advanced electric motors and wider hydrogen aircraft and airport ecosystems.
The potential of hydrogen is currently being explored to understand the opportunities, risks, safety challenges and potential gaps in current regulations. Alternative fuels like hydrogen could also offer long term energy security for the UK.
As part of the drive towards Net Zero by 2050, the Regulatory Sandbox helps explore new aviation fuel sources that will move the sector away from traditional, and heavily polluting kerosene.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director, Future Safety & Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Hydrogen has the potential to transform aviation. Through the Hydrogen Challenge, we are working closely with some of the top innovators in the UK to advance hydrogen technology, deepen our understanding of its impact and ensuring it is developed safely. These early steps put us on the path to a sustainable future for flying.”
Companies previously selected to for the Challenge include ZeroAvia and Exeter Airport Consortium, the latter having successfully completed the UK’s first hydrogen-powered live aircraft turnaround.