• Airbus wants to flight test a hydrogen-fuelled plane by 2035
  • Talga produces Europe’s first battery anode
  • MPower progresses discussions relating to  green energy financing options of up to 20 x 5MW renewable energy projects

 

Airbus has signed a partnership with CFM International – a joint venture between General Electric (GE) and Safran Aircraft Engines to collaborate on a hydrogen flight demonstration set to take off in the middle of this decade.

The program’s objective is to flight test a direct combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen, in preparation for entry-into-service of a zero-emission aircraft by 2035.

It will use a A380 flying testbed equipped with liquid hydrogen tanks prepared at Airbus facilities in France and Germany.

Airbus will also define the hydrogen propulsion system requirements, oversee flight testing, and provide the A380 platform to test the hydrogen combustion engine in cruise phase.

CFM International (CFM) will modify the combustor, fuel system, and control system of a GE Passport turbofan to run on hydrogen.

The engine, which is assembled in the US, was selected for this program because of its physical size, advanced turbo machinery, and fuel flow capability.

It will be mounted along the rear fuselage of the flying testbed to allow engine emissions, including contrails, to be monitored separately from those of the engines powering the aircraft.

In signing the Air Transport Action Group goal in October 2021 – an industry approach to emissions –  the two companies have made it their focus to achieve  aviation industry net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

 

Talga produces Europe’s first battery anode

Battery and advanced materials company Talga Group (ASX:TLG) has produced Europe’s first battery anode (Talnode®-C) as part of kiln commissioning, signalling promise for greener batteries to be produced for the major shift to electrification.

Talga’s electric vehicle anode (EVA) facility, where the lithium-ion battery anode was produced, is understood to be Europe’s first Li-ion battery anode plant.

After plant commissioning, Talnode®-C will be shipped to battery cell makers to undergo next stage of commercial testing.

To date, Talga has received engagements from 23 battery manufacturers and major automotive OEMs for Talnode®-C produced at the EVA plant.

EVA plant commissioning is progressing on time and within budget, with full commissioning scheduled for completion late March and official opening of the plant occurring early April 2022.

 

MPower assesses funding options for green energy power projects

MPower Group (ASX:MPR), a renewable energy, battery storage, and micro-grid business, said binding purchase agreements were secured over three 5MW renewable energy developments in NSW and Victoria during the half year ending December 31, 2021.

The three projects are in Narromine (NSW), Mangalore (VIC) and Faraday (VIC) and will generate 36,000 MWh+ of clean energy from 34,000 Bifacial PV Modules, equivalent capacity to power 4,500 homes once they are fully operational.

These three projects are the first of 20 sites being planned for the portfolio to provide diversification and capture the benefits of scale.

Over the coming months, the company said it plans to “progress discussions” in its consideration of several green energy financing options to support the planned development of up to 20 x 5MW projects with an end value of more than $150 million.

MPower has exclusivity over a further seven 5MW development projects (including two hybrid projects in South Australia) and is actively assessing additional project opportunities against the company’s investment criteria.

MPower’s franking account balance stood at $7.4 million at 31 December 2021.