Aerospace giant researching appropriateness of fuel cells for flight applications.

Researchers at Boeing (NYSE: BA) plan to conduct experimental flight tests this year of a manned propeller-driven plane powered only by a fuel cell and lightweight batteries.

The Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane research project has been under way since 2003 at Boeing Research and Technology Europe (BR&TE). Thorough systems integration testing is now under way in preparation for upcoming ground and flight testing.

“Given the efficiency and environmental benefits of emerging fuel cell technology, Boeing wants to be on the forefront of developing and applying it to aerospace products,” said Francisco Escarti, BR&TE managing director. “The Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane project is an important step in that direction.”

The Boeing demonstrator uses a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor, which is coupled to a conventional propeller. The fuel cell provides all power for the cruise phase of flight. During takeoff and climb, the flight segment that requires the most power, the system draws on lightweight lithium-ion batteries.

Flight tests, which will take place in Spain, is to demonstrate for the first time that a manned airplane can maintain flight with fuel cells as the only power source.

“While Boeing does not envision that fuel cells will provide primary power for future commercial passenger airplanes, demonstrations like this help pave the way for potentially using this technology in small manned and unmanned air vehicles,” Escarti said. “It also gives us hands-on experience to complement other fuel-cell studies being carried out throughout the company.”

Boeing researchers see promise in other types of fuel cell technology as well as the PEM system. An example is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell that could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units. This technology could be mature enough in 10 to 15 years for potential use in commercial aviation, the company said.

The PEM fuel-cell system used on the flight demonstrator was designed and built by UK-based firm Intelligent Energy.

The demonstrator aircraft is a Dimona motor glider, built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, which also performed major structural modifications to the aircraft. With a wing span of 16.3 meters (53.5 feet), the airplane will be able to cruise at approximately 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) using fuel cell-provided power.

Saft France designed and assembled the auxiliary batteries and the backup battery. Air Liquide Spain performed the detailed design and assembly of the onboard fuel system and the refueling station. The motor was supplied by UQM Technologies.