Advanced Innovative Engineering (AIE) is embarking on an ambitious project, "HYDRA: HYDrogen Rotary Advanced engine", to revolutionise Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), aerospace, and distributed energy sectors by developing state-of-the-art hydrogen-powered rotary engines. This ground breaking initiative aligns with the UK government and Aerospace Technology Institute's (ATI) net-zero strategy, which seeks significant reductions in carbon emissions and advances in hydrogen propulsion technologies. Our innovative project will transform AIE's existing gasoline-based rotary engines into hydrogen-fuelled systems. This transformation involves cutting-edge fuel delivery and combustion system advancements to ensure seamless hydrogen integration. By leveraging our established rotary engine technology, we will create a compact, power-dense solution that addresses the limitations of current hydrogen propulsion technologies like fuel cells and gas turbines. Our hydrogen rotary engines will offer high power output and efficiency in a smaller, more cost-effective package, making them ideal for AAM and UAM applications. A key component of our project is a strategic partnership with a high-technology Taiwanese manufacturer. This collaboration will develop advanced manufacturing and assembly processes to reduce production costs, ensuring that our hydrogen rotary engines are economically viable and competitive globally. Through this partnership, we aim to drive innovation in manufacturing techniques, enhancing the scalability and affordability of our hydrogen engines. This project is designed to meet the emerging regulatory requirements for emissions in the aerospace sector, offering a zero-emission propulsion solution that supports sustainable practices and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, it positions AIE to capitalise on the growing hydrogen generator markets in Australia and ASEAN, expanding our market reach and strengthening our commitment to sustainable technologies. The project will deliver several key outputs, including detailed technical papers, comprehensive product designs with potential patents, functional prototypes for rigorous testing and demonstration, and advanced manufacturing techniques developed in collaboration with our Taiwanese partner. These outputs will showcase the viability and advantages of our hydrogen rotary engines, positioning AIE as a leader in zero-emission propulsion technology.

Supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Innovate UK, this project will develop the ‘Intelligent Powertrain’, a novel and compact solution providing motive power for the next generation low carbon emission vehicles. With excellent flexibility, low mass and small form factor, the powertrain will deliver low levels of noise and vibration. It will extend electric vehicle (EV) range, providing flexible operation over greater distances, encouraging EV uptake and addressing the issues associated with range anxiety. This project builds upon the UK’s leading position in automotive technologies, delivering broad benefits to industry stakeholders. The project Consortium is made up of 4 UK SMEs: Westfield Sportscars (lead); Advanced Innovative Engineering; SAIETTA and General Engine Management Services Ltd. The Consortium provides cutting edge technology and expertise in rotary engine, traction motor, generator and engine management systems. The Consortium is supported by the The University of Bath’s Powertrain and Vehicle Research Centre (PVRC), a leading UK centre of excellence for powertrain and engine research.

Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are becoming increasingly popular in the provision of a range of civilian services such as: land surveying, building inspection, crop-spraying, and search & rescue. In particular, multi-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) RPAS are well suited to this growing emerging market. Amongst other things, the ease-of-control afforded by VTOL RPAS over other platforms makes them ideal for civilian applications. Despite their advantages, VTOL RPAS platforms are currently significantly hindered by limited range/endurance (<1hour), well below the 4 hours endurance that is typically required in order to deliver "productive added-value”. Internal combustion engines (ICEs) cannot provide the control precision to the rotors, nor independent drive without complex drivetrain mechanisms. Therefore, in order to bridge this endurance gap, the SREEV project will develop a range extender solution that is capable of boosting VTOL RPAS battery life and deliver close to 240mins continuous flight-time. The SREEV project will be delivered by a research focused consortium consisting of four leading cross disciplinary SMEs based in the UK.

Range anxiety is the single greatest obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and the environmental benefits they offer (Fastcoexist, 2013). 44% of UK drivers consider emissions & environmental friendliness as important factors when buying a car yet only 5% would consider buying an electric car due to range concerns (ONS, 2014). Vehicle manufacturers have sought to address this issue through the installation of range extenders. However, current range extender solutions tend to use piston based internal combustion engines. The technology is mature, reliable with low maintenance, low fuel consumption & relatively low emissions. However, there are numerous disadvantages including: significant vibrations resulting from reciprocating parts (pistons), cost & complexity, relatively low power to weight ratio, heavy, large footprint and bulky size. Piston engines need engine bays, and this seriously limits the design freedom with electric vehicles. Consequently, rotary engines have been considered as an alternative to piston engines because they have inherent advantages such as high power to weight ratio, compact size, low vibration (no reciprocating parts), simplicity & low cost. However, rotary engines are also noisy, inefficient at variable speeds & variable loads, and have high emissions. These factors therefore present a limitation to the suitability of rotary engines for use as range extenders. This project seeks to develop a completely novel rotary engine system for use as an ultra compact range extender for electric vehicles. Our technology aims to eliminate the disadvantages of rotary engines for range extender applications whilst building on the inherent advantages. The successful exploitation of the technology will result in cumulative revenue of £47.5m after 6 years on the market.

"Range anxiety is the single greatest obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and the environmental benefits they offer. Forty four percent of UK drivers consider emissions & environmental friendliness as important factors when buying a car yet only 5% would consider buying an electric car due to range concerns. Vehicle manufacturers have sought to address this issue through the installation of range extenders. However, current range extender solutions tend to use piston based internal combustion engines. However, there are numerous disadvantages including: significant vibrations resulting from reciprocating parts (pistons), cost & complexity, relatively low power to weight ratio, heavy, large footprint and bulky size. As a result, rotary engines are finding favour as an alternative to piston engines because they have inherent advantages such as high power to weight ratio, compact size, low vibration (no reciprocating parts), simplicity & low cost. However, rotary engines are also noisy, inefficient at variable speeds & variable loads, and have high emissions. These factors therefore present a limitation to the suitability of rotary engines for use as range extenders. This technology under development by AIE aims to address this issue by developing a completely novel rotary engine system for use as an ultra compact range extender for electric vehicles. The implications are profound for the rotary engine and would lead to increased uptake of hybrid electric vehicles, significantly reducing CO2 emissions."