The project has an overall investment of 12 million euros and involves companies and technology centres, as well as Spanish universities.
In June 2022, Destinus and Spanish engine manufacturer ITP Aero agreed to jointly develop a hydrogen engine test facility and showcase their research in hydrogen combustion with the direct support and collaboration of Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA).
The Spanish Ministry of Science's programme agency, Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico e Industrial, has selected this project as a strategic initiative under its Plan de Tecnologías Aeronáuticas (PTA).
The grant funds the construction of a test facility near Madrid for air-breathing hydrogen engines which Destinus will help design and iterate through further testing. A second grant funds research into aspects of liquid hydrogen-powered propulsion with a view to testing innovative propulsion system solutions for future supersonic hydrogen-powered aircraft. The second grant project has an overall investment of 15 million euros.
The Spanish government invests heavily in developing hydrogen propulsion as part of its economic resilience and transformation plan through strategic projects funded by the European Commission's Next Gen funds. This aligns with the Spanish Plan Nacional del Hidrógeno, which aims to make Spain a world leader in producing renewable hydrogen and developing hydrogen-based mobility in various sectors.
Aligned with the company’s strategic research and development lines, Destinus will soon flight test a H2 post-combustor jet engine while working to accelerate hydrogen-only engine technology.
“We are delighted to have been awarded these grants, especially because they are a clear sign that Destinus is aligned with the strategic lines of Spain and Europe to advance hydrogen flight” said Davide Bonetti, VP Business Development and Products for Destinus. “For deep tech companies like us, access to these EU recovery funds is essential to carry out advanced research and accelerate the innovation needed to be competitive on a global scale. With these grants, hydrogen-based solutions for aeronautical mobility will be one step closer to becoming a reality.”
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