Intelligent Energy (IE), according to its own statements the leading fuel cell manufacturer in the UK, has joined the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance (HIA). The alliance brings together companies from the aviation sector, including Airbus, Bristol Airport, EasyJet, GKN Aerospace, and Rolls-Royce. The aim is to coordinate technology, infrastructure, and regulation for commercial hydrogen aviation.
Intelligent Energy has been active in aviation for more than a decade. In 2008, the company participated in Boeing's first manned fuel cell flight. It is currently developing a modular fuel cell system with 300 kW that can be scaled to megawatt systems for regional aircraft.
Patented technology for more compact cooling systems
According to the company, the patented technology addresses a central challenge of the industry: the size of the cooling system. The solution is intended to manage with smaller cooling systems, be lighter, and respond more quickly to changing flight loads. Fuel cells offer advantages over other zero-emission aviation technologies in terms of weight, range, and fuel efficiency, according to the company.
For testing, Intelligent Energy has established a 1 MW test centre in an 85 MW wind and solar park in Northamptonshire. According to the company, the renewable facilities on site generate up to 140 MWh of green energy per hour, which is directly converted into green hydrogen and used for tests.
Applications also in ground operations
Intelligent Energy also sees potential for hydrogen in airport operations, such as for emergency power supply, towing vehicles, and other ground support vehicles. In a project with the Tajima Motor Corporation in Japan, the company developed a fuel cell-powered ground support vehicle.
The British Jet Zero strategy of the Department for Transport estimates the potential of hydrogen aviation at up to 60,000 new jobs by 2050. The "Flying Start" report published by the Green Alliance in 2025 estimates the sector's possible contribution to the UK economy at up to £37 billion in gross value added by the same time.
