Ricardo: UK Consortium to Deliver World’s First Truly Green Passenger Carrying Airline Services Using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
30.3.2021 02:01:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) - the UK SME leading the Project Fresson consortium - announces it will exploit recent advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology to develop a commercially viable, retrofit powertrain solution for the nine-passenger Britten-Norman Islander aircraft.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210329005667/en/
Project Frisson to deliver world's first green passenger aircraft service (Graphic: Business Wire)
Following a rigorous assessment of hydrogen technology innovators, CAeS is delighted to welcome Ricardo UK Ltd and Innovatus Technologies Ltd to the Fresson consortium. Ricardo UK Ltd brings expertise in fuel cell system development and Innovatus Technologies Ltd brings their innovative Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Tank (SHyFT) technology.
Steve Dyke, Managing Director Ricardo Automotive and Industrial EMEA Division said: “We are proud to join the Cranfield Aerospace Solutions consortium to play our part in helping to reduce the carbon footprint for commercial air passengers. We are already working on hydrogen and fuel cell technology, providing clean efficient solutions which reduce carbon and noxious emissions across a wide range of sectors. Our work for the Fresson consortium will enable us to consolidate and grow our hydrogen fuel cell and propulsion capability, so that Ricardo can achieve its ambition of becoming a world-leader in hydrogen and fuel cell services and solutions and help accelerate net zero transportation.”
Innovatus Technologies Ltd leads the field in next generation ultralightweight hydrogen tank design exploiting patented cellular core composite techniques. This is critical to the successful integration and exploitation of hydrogen fuel cell power systems in applications across aerospace, automotive, industrial, and marine sectors.
Ruan Swart, Chief Executive Officer Innovatus Technologies Ltd said: ““We are proud in being selected to join the Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, ‘Project Fresson’, consortium. Our unique and innovative SHyFT solution is game-changing in bringing zero carbon fuel cell energy to commercial reality in the transport sector. Project Fresson showcases important Scottish innovation and next generation hydrogen tank manufacturing in the UK.”
Project Fresson will deliver an emissions-free (zero CO2), hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered flying demonstrator by September 2022. Having completed a comprehensive evaluation of technologies and configurations for sustainable aircraft propulsion, the Fresson team concluded that hydrogen fuel cell technology is the optimum solution to meet environmental, regulatory and operational requirements for this size of aircraft, enabling zero carbon emissions and reducing operating costs. This has presented the Fresson consortium, which includes Britten-Norman and Cranfield University, with an opportunity to deliver an enhanced technology programme that surpasses the original demonstrator concept.
Paul Hutton, Chief Executive Officer, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions said: “This is incredibly important for the Project Fresson Team but also for everyone else around the world interested in zero emissions flight. This project can deliver the world’s first truly “green” passenger carrying airline services. The whole team is proud of what Project Fresson has achieved so far and excited about what is to come. I am very thankful for the support of the ATI and our investors for making this ground-breaking work a reality.”
Jenny Kavanagh, Chief Strategy Officer, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions added: “Covid-19 has caused the biggest crisis in aviation’s history. It’s important that, as the sector builds back better, it does so with sustainability at its heart. Project Fresson is more than just a technology demonstrator; it has one focus above all others: real operational and commercial viability.”
Project Fresson is supported by the ATI Programme, a joint Government and industry investment to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive position in civil aerospace design and manufacture. The programme, delivered through a partnership between the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Innovate UK, addresses technology, capability and supply chain challenges.
As a result of these changes, there is now no longer a need for the Rolls-Royce element of the aircraft programme. It is therefore Rolls-Royce’s intention to withdraw from Project Fresson and the consortium is going through the necessary steps for this to happen. We thank Rolls-Royce for its contribution to Project Fresson and wish its team well. Rolls-Royce will continue to actively research the use of hydrogen in aviation and this decision in no way reflects its overall view of hydrogen as a potential technology.
Ends
Notes to editors
- To follow the progress of Project Fresson, visit the microsite: www.projectfresson.uk or follow on Twitter @projectfresson.
- Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) is an aerospace market leader in rapid prototyping of new aerospace concepts, modifications to existing aerospace platforms and integration of cutting-edge technologies to meet the most challenging issues facing the industry today. CAeS is the wholly owned commercial arm of Cranfield University. Visit: www.cranfieldaerospace.com
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210329005667/en/
Contact information
Media contacts
For Cranfield Aerospace Solutions:
Telephone: +44 (0) 1234 754046
Email: enquiries@cranfieldaerospace.com
For Ricardo
Kathryn Bellamy
Communications Manager
Ricardo Automotive & Industrial EMEA Division, and Performance Products Division
Email: kathryn.bellamy@ricardo.com
Telephone: +44(0)7921 941824
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
3D Systems Achieves Full-Scope EU MDR Certification, Accelerating European Launch of NextDent® Jetted Denture Solution Targeted for Summer 202625.3.2026 18:20:00 EET | Press release
3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) today announced it has received full-scope certification under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) 2017/745. The certification was attained on Monday, March 16, 2026. This milestone confirms that the Company’s quality system, technical documentation, and clinical evidence meet the most rigorous regulatory requirements in the medical device sector. With the MDR certificate in hand, 3D Systems will now introduce MDR-compliant product versions through a carefully coordinated, phased rollout across its dental product families and European markets. This approach ensures a smooth transition while maintaining uninterrupted product availability for customers and healthcare providers. The EU MDR certification immediately enables the introduction of innovative new materials and is a pivotal step for one of 3D Systems’ largest potential new product launches: the NextDent® Jetted Denture Solution. This solution forms the cornerstone of the Company’s ‘replac
Visa to Bring Privacy-Preserving Payments to Canton Network25.3.2026 18:00:00 EET | Press release
Visa (NYSE:V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced it will join the Canton Network as the first major global payments company to serve as a Super Validator, to help extend privacy‑preserving blockchain infrastructure to banks and financial institutions around the world. Visa will be one of 40 Super Validators on Canton. That move goes straight to a core challenge for financial institutions: the same transparency that gives blockchains their appeal can clash with privacy expectations financial institutions operate under. Canton Network, a blockchain built for regulated finance, has privacy built in from the beginning, so organizations can use shared infrastructure without exposing sensitive information. As a Super Validator, Visa will help clients who choose to run and secure operations on the Canton Network, applying the same trusted and reliable standards it uses to operate critical payment systems today. Institutions can experiment with and scale stablecoin payments,
Andersen Consulting Adds Collaborating Firm Stratis Consulting in Ireland25.3.2026 15:30:00 EET | Press release
Andersen Consulting enters into a Collaboration Agreement with Stratis Consulting, a Dublin-based firm specializing in strategic employment relations, people strategy, and workplace policy. Founded in 2017, Stratis Consulting is an advisory firm recognized for its deep expertise in employment relations and leadership strategy. The firm works closely with senior executives, boards, and HR leaders as a trusted advisor to design practical, people-centered solutions that improve engagement, strengthen leadership effectiveness, and align workforce strategy with long-term business objectives. Stratis Consulting supports organizations navigating M&A activities and major changes in the company to ensure effective practice and implementation of workforce strategies. “At Stratis, we believe that people strategy enabled by successful employment relations is business strategy,” said Brendan McGinty, managing partner of Stratis Consulting. “Our goal is to help organizations recognize the value of s
ECU Worldwide Unveils XLERATE 2.0 Expansion to Bypass Asia–Europe Supply Chain Disruptions25.3.2026 15:30:00 EET | Press release
ECU Worldwide, Allcargo Globals’ wholly-owned global subsidiary, has announced a strategic expansion of its transformative logistics solution, XLERATE 2.0, to provide a high-speed and resilient alternative to Asia-to-Europe trade lanes facing transit disruptions. Under this alternative routing, cargo is transported across the Pacific to the US West Coast, using Los Angeles (LAX) as a temporary hub. The solution leverages XLERATE 2.0’s premium, time-definite ocean services, ensuring greater transit agility and continuity. XLERATE 2.0 offers two distinct shipping solutions from China and Vietnam, providing shippers with flexibility as traditional trade arteries remain impacted by shifts in global logistics. These changes have led to reduced overall capacity and the disruption of standard sea–air services via conventional transit points. Commenting on the rollout, Simon Bajada, Regional CEO, Europe, ECU Worldwide, said “With the expansion of XLERATE 2.0, we are offering our customers a de
Incyte Announces Executive Leadership Appointments25.3.2026 15:00:00 EET | Press release
Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) today announced appointments among its executive leadership team to support the Company’s strategic focus and long-term growth plans. Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., has been appointed President, Incyte and Global Head of Research and Development. In this role, Dr. Cagnoni will retain responsibility for Research and Development, while also supporting enterprise-wide strategic planning and operational execution. Under Dr. Cagnoni’s scientific leadership, Incyte’s R&D progress has been notable, including advancing our mutCALR antibody, povorcitinib, CDK2, KRASG12D and TGFßR2xPD1 programs. Dr. Cagnoni has also continued to strengthen the way Incyte conducts R&D, introducing a new structure, processes and new technologies to improve productivity and keep Incyte competitive. Steven Stein, M.D., has been appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Late-stage Development. In this role, Dr. Stein will continue to oversee Incyte’s extensive and growing lat
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom