H55 S.A. is a Swiss-based company developing electric propulsion and battery systems.
Pratt & Whitney Canada has selected H55 to provide a battery pack for the regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program. Ground Testing of this propulsion technology is expected to start this year with a planned test flight in 2024. This technology is expected to give 30 percent fuel efficiency and considerable CO2 emission reductions as compared to the most advanced turboprop engines for regional aircraft.
Collins Aerospace and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada are key technology collaborators in the demonstrator project. Pratt & Whitney Canada will be investing USD 163 CAD million with the support of the governments of Quebec and Canada, towards developing this sustainable propulsion technology. The National Research Council Canada (NRC) and the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) are also supporting the development of some of the component designs and electrical control systems for the project.
H55 S.A. is a Swiss-based company developing electric propulsion and battery systems.
André Borschberg, H55’s Co-founder and Executive Chairman said, “Our goal has always been to target regional commuter transportation and with P&WC, there is a perfect fit whereby our core technologies complement each other. Both companies share the same vision as to how hybrid-electric propulsion can offer a range of environmental and economic benefits. Having been selected by P&WC is an important validation that our experience is valued by a reputable industry player. We are excited to be working in Quebec with P&WC and several other industries and research collaborators in bringing our battery pack to the hybrid-electric demonstrator program.”
Jean Thomassin, executive director of new products and services, Pratt & Whitney Canada said, “We’re delighted to draw from H55’s proven technology in the field of aircraft battery systems and collaborate with NRC and IVI on optimizing the design for our flight demonstrator program. Hybrid-electric technology holds significant potential to boost the efficiency of next-generation aircraft propulsion systems, allowing us to set new standards for sustainability for regional and commuter aircraft.”
Hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a core element of Pratt & Whitney’s strategy for continually advancing the efficiency of aircraft propulsion systems, in support of the industry-wide goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions for aviation by 2050. They are also developing technologies to support greater use of cleaner, alternative fuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen, each of which will benefit from the increased efficiencies enabled by hybrid-electric propulsion systems.
Read related stories… Saab appoints Viktor Wallstrom as VP and Head of Group Communications
The mission of H55 is to make aviation clean, safe, and affordable. Their strengths and competencies lie in developing propulsion and energy storage solutions that are modular, lightweight, and certifiable. Having integrated and flown 4 electric airplanes, this partnership is a further illustration of H55’s position as a major enabler in the electric commuter market.
