A Queensland aircraft manufacturer is planning to fly a hydrogen-electric aircraft between Gladstone and Brisbane this year to test the cutting-edge technology.
Brisbane-based Stralis Aircraft has teamed with CQUniversity, in Rockhampton, to enhance their long-range hydrogen-electric propulsion systems.
Stralis co-founder and Chief Technical Officer Stuart Johnstone said the collaboration was imperative to the success of the next phase of Stralis’ hydrogen-electric aviation plans to manufacture systems and aircraft in Queensland.
“This will increase our test capability, and the findings will inform development and build of our hydrogen-electric propulsion system for aircraft, which we plan to test with a Bonanza A36 aircraft in Queensland late 2025,” Mr Johnstone said.
He said Stralis aimed to fly a hydrogen-powered aircraft from Gladstone to Brisbane to demonstrate it was possible to decarbonise aviation.
Mr Johnstone said the partnership with CQUniversty, which was supported through the Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) Program, aimed to design a heat management system for a high temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) system that would help Stralis to integrate the fuel cell into their hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The RUIC initiative is funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by the CSIRO.
CSIRO SME Connect Programs Director George Feast said the RUIC Program empowered SMEs, like Stralis, to transform ambitious ideas into reality.
“We’re thrilled to support this groundbreaking project, showcasing how collaborative research projects can drive innovation and create industry-wide impact,” Dr Feast said.
CQUniversity Senior Research Fellow for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Michael Opolot said the collaboration between industry and academia was vital to advance knowledge and translate innovation into industrial applications.
“The combined experience of the teams at Stralis and the University, provide a great opportunity to advance learnings for a robust, high temperature, cooling system,” Dr Opolot said.
