Stralis Aircraft, Brisbane Australia, is developing green hydrogen-powered aircraft which they intend to fit with their high temperature proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell engine that they have developed (patend pending).
Stralis Aircraft and Central Queensland University are working to develop the technology required.
"This technology will not just be cleaner, but quieter," Stralis Aircraft head of partnerships Dr Emma Whittlesea said.
Dr Whittlesea said while other hydrogen-electric systems were being developed for aircraft, the technology being used by Stralis was unique. Stralis is creating high temperature proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, as the aircraft needs to have greater power to carry passengers and luggage.
"You can power a plane off a low temperature fuel cell … they're being used all over the place in cars and trucks. We're just going to get a much better performance from the ones we're developing," she said.
Dr Whittlesea said the company planned to have its test aeroplane Bonnie in the skies later this year.
"We have already started testing on the ground … we've spun the prop successfully using gaseous hydrogen," Dr Whittlesea said.
Dr Whittlesea said other companies around the world had already flown planes powered by hydrogen and other groups were beginning to explore the same high temperature PEM fuel cell technology.
The company says it has $US235 million in letters of intent from 10 airlines across the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand who are interested in purchasing the aircraft if the technology is successful.
CQ University hydrogen expert Jonathon Love said the aviation sector was one of the hardest industries to move towards a clean fuel and away from kerosene or jet fuel.
"Nearly all the aviation companies are trying to work out how to decarbonise … there are different approaches, different technologies out there," Professor Love said.
Professor Love said the university would help Stralis by pairing the company with researchers to help engineer the fuel cell.
"We have our launch customer Sky Trans Airlines who are looking at a first commercial route between Brisbane and Gladstone, so we are very much looking to use green hydrogen [produced] locally in Gladstone," Dr Whittlesea said.
While the supply chain was still being developed, she said the company was confident it would not be an issue by the time commercial flights were available.
She said Stralis was looking at using liquid hydrogen as it took up less space than gas.