Aeronautics
The SERENA project aims to develop a prototype propulsion system for a General Aviation- category aircraft based on hybrid power technologies (hydrogen-fueled cells, batteries, and super-capacitors).
SERENA contributes to the subject of fuel cells for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) applications to allow air transportation with zero emissions by small and medium-sized air taxis and unmanned aircraft. SERENA will also investigate emerging storage and energy-recovery technologies for energy reuse during flight and take-off, landing, and taxiing. The propulsion system will have a 90% lower climate impact than conventional systems.
SERENA will expand the experimental practices for new-generation aircraft at the Grottaglie Airport Test Bed, a strategic infrastructure in Southern Italy. The main innovations and benefits include: the generation of specific knowledge in the strategic high-tech sector of the hydrogen supply chain; an increase in investment; and the creation of highly qualified professionals.
ES is contributing numerical simulation to certify the energy storage and distribution system; is developing and verifying a digital twin of the propulsion system; and is developing a decision support system (DSS).
Distretto tecnologico aerospaziale | Enginsoft Spa | Novotech Srl | Università del Salento – Department of Innovation Engineering
Funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU - Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) - M2C2.3.5
by Marco Corti | EnginSoft
Leonardo Lecce | Novotech
Futurities - Spring 2025
The aviation industry's pursuit of sustainability is accelerating the exploration of hydrogen fuel cells as a zero-emission propulsion solution. The SERENA project—driven by DTA, EnginSoft, Novotech, and UniSalento—focuses on integrating hydrogen fuel cells and batteries into general aviation, specifically for the Seagull light aircraft. A key challenge lies in safely managing hydrogen’s high flammability. To address this, the project used CFD simulations to assess the effects of a potential gas leak inside the aircraft cabin. Initial tests with natural ventilation revealed significant combustion risks within seconds. However, by implementing forced ventilation, optimizing airflow geometry, and using fast-response sensors, the team reduced hydrogen concentration to safe levels (<1%) even under continuous leak scenarios. These findings are a critical step toward enabling safe hydrogen-powered flight.
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Some of our competences in research and technology transfer
Research project
SERENA intende sviluppare un sistema propulsivo prototipale per un velivolo di categoria di Aviazione Generale basato su tecnologie di alimentazione ibride (celle a combustibile alimentate a idrogeno, batterie e super-capacitori).
Research project
LUBFORLIFE’s ultimate goal is the integration of innovative components and technologies into electromechanical actuators, for aircraft and UAV flight controls, which do not require relubrication during their entire operating lifes.
