Hydrogen is considered an important key to the energy transition and decarbonization – also in the aviation industry. Research on this has always been driven forward at ZAL, with its own Fuel Cell Lab being used by aviation players and cross-industry partners alike. The experience is now proving to be an advantage: ZAL is at the forefront of the German Technology Center for Hydrogen.

The so-called ITZ (Innovation and Technology Center for Hydrogen) is to conduct research on various topics at several German locations and will be funded with a sum of 290 million euros. The federal government is making up to 70 million euros available to the North German association alone. The ITZ North unites the locations Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Stade.

ZAL’s role in this is currently being defined. Due to its involvement in the successful application, as well as the in-house hydrogen infrastructure and the upcoming expansion plans of the ZAL TechCenter, a key role is more than likely.