Main focus of the aviation sector in Zuid-Holland is on Sustainable Aviation

Aviation will have to make its contribution to preventing global warming by limiting and ultimately excluding harmful emissions such as CO2, NOX and soot particles. By applying its expertise in a number of distinctive areas, partners in the region are actively working on a more sustainable aviation sector.

An important field of expertise is aerodynamics to minimize air resistance and improve efficiencies, thus emissions. Also, minimizing the required energy to fly an aircraft will be crucial for new clean energy carriers as they contain less energy density per kg compared to conventional kerosene or can be more expensive.

The development by TU Delft of the aircraft concept Flying-V is the most extreme example of minimizing air resistance to optimize aerodynamics. This aircraft could offer a saving of 20% on (sustainable) fuel consumption. With the aerodynamic knowledge of TU Delft, its spin-off startups and knowledge diffusion to regional companies, necessary short-term improvements are also developed.

In Zuid-Holland, a growing group of companies and knowledge institutes have specialized in the development of sustainable aircraft propulsion technology. These parties have expertise in hydrogen combustion, hydrogenelectric and full-electric flight. The regional parties mainly focus on the technology of battery packaging in aircraft, where weight, ignition hazard, and thermal management are critical factors.

Additionally, hydrogen-powered aviation requires significant advancements in technology, which are being supported through funding from the Luchtvaart in Transitie National Growth Fund (i.e. the HAPSS and HOT projects). The objective of this program is to convert a turboprop aircraft for around 40 passengers, utilizing a liquid hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor powertrain with a range of approximately 750 kilometers. The fuel cell technology has already been developed locally for the maritime sector, while the electric motor was developed by a Dutch automotive company.

The storage of liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures (-253 degrees Celsius) relies on expertise in materials, cryogenic technology, sensors, and management systems, which is available from experiences in the process industry. Close collaboration is underway with Rotterdam The Hague Airport to prepare for handling hydrogen-powered aircraft, and RTHA/Schiphol is working with national and international partners on European projects to build knowledge and gain access to the necessary infrastructure, procedures, and permits in a step-by-step manner