The 1st H2-Aero Symposium & Workshop was a first-of-its-kind event in North America! The available presentations can be downloaded by registrants at no charge — check your email for the passcode. In addition, they have been added to our Vertical Flight Library for purchase by non-attendees. The video recordings are available for all registrants and all VFS members at no charge in order to maximize learning and understanding about the potential for hydrogen for aero applications. An in-depth summary article was also published in the May/June 2022 issue of Vertifite.
Plan now for our 2nd H2-Aero Symposium in March 2023!
1st H2-Aero Symposium & Workshop Hybrid Event
March 29–31, 2022 - Hilton Long Beach, California
701 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90831-3102
Telephone: (562) 983-3400
Leading Experts to Address Hydrogen for Aero Applications
Following up on the successful programs on hydrogen for aviation produced by the VFS Hydrogen electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Council in 2020-2021, VFS is hosting the next logical follow-on, a hybrid (in-person & virtual) workshop to bring leading experts to discuss the promise, progress and barriers of implementing hydrogen fuel cells for eVTOL and other types of propeller aircraft. This is part of a new effort — called H2-Aero — to help accelerate development and scale on both the hydrogen infrastructure as well as the fuel cell aircraft.
The event will feature two days, March 29–30, of informative presentations and insightful discussions (the symposium), as well as a workshop for planning the H2-Aero project. As a plus, there will be a tour of Shell's hydrogen and fuel cell heavy duty vehicle facilities at the Port of Long Beach, California, on Thursday morning, March 31.
Registration: $250 for VFS members and $350 for non-members. Register today! The fee includes lunches, coffee, access to the meetings and event video recordings, and the Shell tour. Note: this is now a hybrid event with virtual registration available as well; in addition to the connection to the meeting, virtual attendees will get access to the video recordings. New: students can participate virtually for only $25! (Must be a VFS student member or join first.)
Background
There are challenges decarbonizing the aerospace industry, especially due to lightweighting and powertrain needs. Larger, heavier eVTOL aircraft that require more power for sustained flight need fuel cells with hydrogen combined with batteries to achieve zero-emission, all-electric, long-range flights.
Despite the clear advantages of utilizing hydrogen, it still hasn’t been adopted in aviation at large in North America. Both gaseous and liquid hydrogen are standardized, but not yet at scale or developed for use for aircraft. Other impediments such as the lack of infrastructure, transporting hydrogen and high costs due to the prototype nature of the industry today. The H2-Aero initiative is seeking to think ‘outside the box’ as it’s certainly possible to bring hydrogen at scale, especially in conjunction with other forms of transportation such as airport ground equipment.
Although multiple hydrogen consortia and government bodies have published roadmaps, and the UK and EU have made great strides in this area, there is little traction for hydrogen aviation in the US. The H2-Aero Team is engaging with the government, industry and academic organizations to bring H2 for eVTOL, eSTOL and eCTOL to the forefront — because aviation is one of the most challenging transportation industries to decarbonize and stands to benefit the most from hydrogen. Though the original "VFS H2eVTOL Council" was primarily focused on vertical flight, VFS and its partners have now embarked on a new mission to widen the scope towards finding a common hydrogen technology for aircraft and airports. There is also a vision to help launch a Public-Private Partnership related towards hydrogen and fuel cell aircraft demonstration, leading to supporting the scale-up of hydrogen in a “hub.”
VFS formed H2-Aero in 2022 to tackle these tough challenges, to be the US voice to bring hydrogen and aviation experts together with the goal of developing both a roadmap and a Public-Private Partnership with government and industry. VFS hopes to help accelerate the future of sustainable flight, towards commercialization of hydrogen aviation with this game-changing capability.
Get Involved!
- The H2eVTOL Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 11:30 am ET / 8:30 am PT. Join the mailing list!
- The H2-Aero Team meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 12:00 pm ET / 9:00 am PT. Join the mailing list!
As some background to VFS activities, learn more about hydrogen for aircraft from dozens of VFS news postings from the past five years.
COVID Information: This meeting will comply with all federal, state and local requirements for indoor gatherings. Note that your attendance at this meeting in-person indicates your agreement that you will comply with all policies and that VFS holds no responsibility for anyone who is infected by COVID or any other disease.
We recommend that all attendees follow CDC guidance and be fully vaccinated before arrival, but there is no requirement to be vaccinated to attend, and VFS will not inquire about your vaccination status. At the time, neither the hotel nor VFS have a requirement to wear a mask in the meetings; however, all attendees will need to comply with whatever local mask requirements are in effect at the time of the event. Please be sure to keep your hands clean and not shake hands, and maintain social distancing guidelines — meeting rooms will be set up for distance seating.
Updated April 15, 2022
Thank you to our sponsors!
Sponsored Reading
Sponsorship Information: SOLD OUT!
- Platinum Sponsorship: $5,000 — includes top-billing logos/signage, digital flyer, three complimentary registrations and a 20-minute speaking slot. (Subject to approval and availability)
- Gold Sponsorship: $2,500 — includes logos/signage, digital flyer, two complimentary registrations and a 10-minute speaking slot. (Subject to approval and availability)
- Silver Sponsorship: $1,000 — includes logos/signage, digital flyer and one complimentary registration (no speaking slot). (Subject to approval and availability)
More details can be found in the Sponsorship Application. Questions? Please contact Valerie Sheehan for more information.
Book your hotel room: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Long Beach at 701 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90831-3102. A discounted room rate has been negotiated, so please book your room by March 14 within the hotel block to support the meeting — use this link. Booking through the official link provides discounted parking, free wifi, a fully refundable reservation (through March 25) and the lowest price at the hotel.
2022 H2-Aero Symposium and Workshop Document Uploader
Did you attend the 2022 H2-Aero Symposium and Workshop meeting? Please enter the event passcode to view the documents.
Uploads for this meeting closed on . Please contact Julie M. Gibbs, event registrar, if you have any questions.