Australian aerospace start-up AMSL Aero is looking to take hydrogen flight to the skies with the support of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
ARENA has awarded $5.43 million on behalf of the Australian Government for AMSL, as part of the Advancing Renewables Program, to develop a hydrogen powered electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft named the Vertiia.
Similar in operation to a helicopter and fitted with eight rotors, the Vertiia will be capable of carrying five passengers up to 1000km.
The $10.86 million project follows AMSL’s successful development of a prototype battery electric version of the Vertiia aircraft.
The $5.43 million ARENA grant will support AMSL to undertake development and certification activities for the aircraft, culminating in successful demonstration with a test flight of the prototype.
Based at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport, AMSL Aero was founded in 2017 to develop and manufacture zero emission aircraft.
AMSL intends Vertiia to be available for markets such as air ambulance, emergency services (including bushfire fighting), and passenger and cargo transport.
The aviation sector is responsible for about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with nearly a fifth coming from short haul flights under 1000km, says ARENA, adding Vertiia has received additional support from the Australian Government via the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships program.
“AMSL Aero is a homegrown Australian start-up tackling one of the many challenges in the transition to net zero,” says ARENA chief executive Darren Miller.
“Developing low emissions air transport will require a variety of solutions, including hydrogen and battery electric. AMSL’s work on the Vertiia is truly pioneering in this space.
“For end users like emergency services, and personal and cargo transport, this technology is an exciting prospect for cutting emissions and costs from air transport.”
AMSL Aero co-founder and chief executive Andrew Moore says the ARENA funding allows it to accelerate design, build and certification activities for the long range, hydrogen-powered eVTOL aircraft.
“It will mean that patients and passengers will have earlier access to the aircraft as a result and will play a key role in decarbonising air transport in Australia and abroad.”
ARENA’s previous support for hydrogen transport includes the New Energy Services Station being developed by Viva Energy in Geelong, and Ark Energy’s deployment of hydrogen trucks at a Queensland zinc mine.
ARENA has additional funding available for renewable energy in the aviation sector through the ongoing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Funding Initiative.
