Applus+ is leading the way in sustainable aviation and hydrogen-powered transportation

PARTICIPATION IN CLEAN AVIATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND CLIMATE-NEUTRAL FUTURE

As part of Clean Aviation, we participate in several EU projects, such as FASTER H2 and H2ELIOS. The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking is the European Union’s leading research and innovation programme for transforming aviation towards a sustainable and climate-neutral future by creating new technologies that will significantly reduce aviation's impact on the planet. Applus+ supports the FASTER H2*¹ ​​​​​​project, coordinated by Airbus, through the validation of solutions for hydrogen tank fuselage integration:

• Our structural laboratories will test the anchoring systems of the hydrogen tank to the aircraft fuselage. We will then test structures based on biomaterials to validate and compare the mechanical capacity of components on board.  
• Additionally, we will evaluate the resistance and reaction to fire of different materials of flames caused by hydrogen.   

Throughout this project, we will also provide our testing expertise and engineering capabilities to develop new test benches adapted to these specific conditions and new advanced structures.

The H2ELIOS*¹ project, supported by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) aims to develop an integral liquid hydrogen storage tank fit for aircraft. Applus+ contribution to this project will mean using our testing laboratories for two purposes:

• The characterisation of the materials used to build the tank. The samples will go through an accelerated aging process to simulate contact with H2 in cryogenic conditions with new low-weight and higher-resistance advanced materials.  
• Once the tank is ready, we will develop a test bench to perform a series of functional tests, testing the tank’s maximum capacity to bear 150 kg of liquid hydrogen, verifying its insulation to be leak-proof and validating its vaporisation or boil-off systems.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AMONG STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE ZERO-EMISSIONS TRANSPORTATION

Finding new ways of powering vehicles while achieving the net zero emissions goal is another of the fields where Applus+ is leading the way as part of EU projects ZEFES and VEH2DEM.

The ZEFES*² project has been created to tackle the issue of the environmental sustainability of long-haul freight transportation. Long-haul Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) hold great promise, but several challenges must be overcome to make them practical, affordable and efficient.

One of the key objectives is to make them more affordable and reliable, while enhancing their energy efficiency extending their range per single use. Another key issue is the reduction of charging times, which will make these zero-emissions vehicles more appealing.

To prove the viability of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs, ZEFES is conducting real-world demonstrations across Europe that will showcase the capabilities of these vehicles in various conditions, helping to build confidence among stakeholders.

Additionally, Applus+ is part of the VEH2DEM project, working towards the transformation of a conventional diesel truck into a prototype powered by a fuel cell system. This project, a collaboration among EVARM, engineering expert in the conversion of commercial vehicles to alternative fuels, PreZero Spain and Portugal, international provider of environmental services, and Applus+, will result in the development of an electric municipal waste collection truck prototype powered by a fuel cell system.

Applus+ will work on developing this prototype through design and integration tasks, prototyping and designing test procedures, to the final validation and demonstration of the fuel cell-converted vehicle.

The development of hydrogen vehicles will encourage the creation of innovative industrial value chains and the generation of sustainable employment, contributing to a green economy with high added value.

At Applus+, we are proud of our contribution towards a more sustainable mobility, leading the way to find new solutions that will protect the environment and enhance efficiency. We will continue to take part in pioneering projects that contribute to cleaner and more efficient transportation and to the ambitious zero emissions goal of the EU.

*¹  The project is supported by the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and its members. Funded by the European Union, under Grant Agreement No. 101102003. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor Clean Aviation JU can be held responsible for them.

*² This project has recieved funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement number 101095856.