HyPoint to test hydrogen fuel cell technology at Manston Airport

By Stephen Emerson

29 July 2022

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HyPoint are to create testing zones at Manston Airport

HyPoint is to test its hydrogen fuel cell technology at Kent’s Manston Airport.

The Silicon Valley-headquartered firm, which has a base in Discovery Park in Sandwich, has signed an agreement with the airport’s operators RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) to trial its turbo air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell systems.

Testing zones will be created at the transport hub to allow HyPoint’s aviation customers to evaluate its hydrogen fuel cell system in their new or retrofitted aircraft.

HyPoint is investing £11m in its team, research, development and production centre at Discovery Park with its technology targeted at fixed-wing airplanes, drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs).

HyPoint founder and CEO Dr Alex Ivanenko said: “Along with HyPoint’s headquarters at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent is rapidly becoming the world’s go-to destination for hydrogen aviation innovation.

“This partnership will enable our customers to conduct real-world testing and evaluation of our hydrogen fuel cell systems in their aircraft — a critical step to bringing zero-emission hydrogen aviation to the world. In addition, our partnership will serve as a strategic pillar in the reopening of Manston Airport, which will be a boon for Kent and all of England.”

RSP’s Tony Freudmann says the work with HyPoint will help put East Kent and the UK at the forefront of clean aviation.

He added: “Manston Airport has an illustrious history as a Battle of Britain airfield and, under our management, will have a promising future as a vibrant hub for international airfreight – one which delivers economic prosperity and employment across Kent and protects a strategic aviation resource for the nation.

“In addition to reopening Manston as a global freight hub, enabling the airport to fulfil its role in helping the UK trade across the globe and to import vital and time-sensitive goods, we plan to serve as an international hub for clean aviation development. We are excited to work alongside HyPoint and its customers to bring clean, safe, hydrogen-powered aircraft to market.”

HyPoint says by 2050, aviation will be responsible for 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up from just 10% today.

The company utilises compressed air for both cooling and oxygen supply to deliver a hydrogen fuel cell system that outperforms existing battery and hydrogen fuel cell alternatives.

By utilising specialised high-temperature membranes and an air-cooling system, HyPoint’s technology delivers performance while reducing total system weight by more than 60 per cent.

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.