Demonstration of Advanced Low NOx H2C Propulsion System for a direct hydrogen combustion aircraft
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU) is a successful public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry that is on the way to achieving its environmental performance targets.
The Clean Aviation JU will develop disruptive new aircraft technologies to support the European Green Deal, and climate neutrality by 2050. These technologies will deliver net greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of no less than 30%, compared to 2020 state-of-the-art. The technological and industrial readiness will allow the deployment of new aircraft incorporating these technologies no later than 2035, enabling 75% of the world’s civil aviation fleet to be replaced by 2050. The aircraft developed will enable net CO2 reductions of up to 90% when combined with the effect of sustainable ‘drop-in’ fuels, or zero CO2 emissions in flight when using hydrogen as energy source.
Clean Aviation’s aeronautics-related research and innovation activities, focusing on breakthrough technology initiatives, will contribute to the global sustainable competitiveness of the European aviation industry. European aviation research and innovation capacity will be strengthened through the partnership, enabling new and ambitious global standards to be set.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Development and demonstration of an advanced low NOx hydrogen direct combustion propulsion system. This topic targets the demonstration of a low NOx combustor at TRL5, delivering minimum 30% reduction of NOx and demonstrating the combustor operability and integrity, and an efficient and hydrogen combustion engine architecture at TRL4, enabling the demonstration of a viable direct hydrogen combustion aircraft concept.
Detailed Call Description
The configurations of the Hydrogen Powered Aircraft concepts addressed in Clean Aviation are expected to remain a tube and wing. Such aircraft concepts are based on either a direct hydrogen combustion propulsion or a fully-electric hydrogen fuel cell propulsion, with a target Entry into Service in the 2040s
The use of hydrogen in an aircraft will require substantial design changes compared to the aircraft concepts based on traditional hydrocarbon fuels. The adoption and integration of hydrogen-based technologies are expected to affect most of the critical systems and major aircraft components. In this context, a main driver to demonstrate the viability of the direct hydrogen combustion propulsion aircraft concept is the development and integration of low NOx emissions propulsion system capable of operating safely and efficiently with hydrogen. Alternative dual-fuel engine configurations, based on SAF and Hydrogen, are in scope of this topic provided the engine can be operated across the entire flight cycle using hydrogen.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
70%
The maximum EU contribution for the topic is €15.000.000.
The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking may award up to 1 project with funding depending on the outcome of the evaluation and the complementarity of the proposed actions.
The maximum EU contribution per project funded under this topic is €15.000.000.
Proposals requesting an EU contribution above the maximum amount specified above will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated.
A minimum of 15% of the total EU contribution shall be allocated per proposal to Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and/or Universities having a beneficiary status.
Proposals not meeting this condition will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated.
The condition should be met by involving entities under such a legal status in the meaning of Horizon Europe rules across EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe
Thematic Categories
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Transport
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Educational Institutions
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)