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Shell signs deal with ZeroAvia to supply hydrogen

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Oil and gas major Shell has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to supply ZeroAvia with low-carbon, compressed hydrogen for its programme of zero-emission test flights at its Californian research and development site.

While sustainable aviation fuel, which Shell also makes in addition to fuels and lubricant products, should help reduce the emissions of current airplanes, decarbonising air travel completely will require new technology. ZeroAvia has developed an emissions-free powertrain that consumes hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity that in turn powers electric motors to spin the plane’s propellers.

The plan will involve building two commercial-scale mobile units for hydrogen refuelling. In addition to supporting ZeroAvia’s testing programme, Shell says the deal will enable it to work on scaling up its Hydrogen Airport Refuelling Ecosystem (HARE).

Shell’s General Manager for Hydrogen, Oliver Bishop, said that his company is aware that:

“The aviation sector has unique challenges in decarbonisation and needs practical and scalable net-zero solutions. We believe ZeroAvia’s technology is a viable option, and this agreement will allow us to demonstrate successful provision of low-carbon hydrogen supply while supporting the development of codes, standards, and refuelling protocols for hydrogen-powered aviation.”

Shell is already one of ZeroAvia’s strategic investors, which also include British Airways and other airlines. ZeroAvia also recently revealed its new 100-metre hydrogen pipeline at the UK’s Cotswold Airport, making it the first airport in Europe to have a landside-to-airside hydrogen pipeline. The company intends to use it in combination with a mobile refuelling unit and electrolyser to support its test flights there.

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