WASHINGTON STATE HOME TO NEW HYDROGEN TEST FACILITY TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF ZERO-CARBON FLIGHT

The Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington is set to be home to a Hydrogen Aviation Test and Service Center. The effort is supported by Universal Hydrogen, magniX, Plug Power, and AeroTEC. The center will provide flight testing and certification for Universal Hydrogen’s retrofit conversion of a Dash-8 aircraft which is slated for entry into commercial service in 2025. The companies involved in the conversion have roots in the state of Washington with Everett’s magniX providing electric propulsion units, Spokane’s Plug Power providing fuel cells, and Seattle’s AeroTEC heading other activities leading to aircraft certification.

The new center will foster the development of zero-carbon emission technology. Universal Hydrogen has entered into letters of intent with airlines to convert their fleets to utilize a hydrogen powertrain along with hydrogen fuel supplied by Universal Hydrogen’s modular capsule distribution network. The transport of the hydrogen fuel will be able to utilize existing freight and on-airport infrastructure. The Dash-8 conversion will serve as many as 60 passengers on routes up to 1,000 kilometers on the hydrogen-powered aircraft.