NovaSpark Energy Corporation has been awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a groundbreaking mobile hydrogen fuel generation solution.
This project, a collaboration with the DIU, will leverage NovaSpark’s “Air-to-Power” technology to advance next-generation defense applications and mobility.
Enabling Long-Range Deployment Capabilities
The primary objective of the hydrogen fuel project is to demonstrate advanced technology that can significantly enhance long-range deployment efforts worldwide.
Andrew Mawdsley, DIU Program Manager for HyTEC, stated that this contract aligns with DIU’s mission to “enable access to commercially-derived disruptive capabilities across the entire Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise.”
In addition to the DIU, other DoD mission partners collaborating on this project include the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of hydrogen fuel innovation for defense applications.
Shaping the Future of Energy Technologies
Rick Harlow, Vice Chairman and co-founder of NovaSpark Energy, emphasized that this project goes beyond immediate innovation. It aims to “shape the future of energy technologies to support defense and commercial sector needs.”
Harlow also noted that NovaSpark Energy’s involvement in this DoD project signifies a major step towards revolutionizing the adoption of hydrogen fuel across the United States and globally. This underscores the potential impact of the project on the broader energy landscape.
Dual Contract Awards
Alongside NovaSpark Energy, the DIU also awarded a contract to Zepher Flight Labs to prototype the hydrogen generation trailer for its HyTEC program. Zepher Flight Labs, a leader in aerial autonomy and hydrogen as an alternative tactical fuel, will contribute its expertise to the project.
The DIU carefully evaluated numerous applications from commercial technology companies before ultimately selecting and awarding contracts to NovaSpark Energy and Zepher Flight Labs. This demonstrates the competitive nature of the selection process and the high expectations for the project’s outcomes.
Prototyping and Testing
The two companies will develop the HyTEC prototypes throughout this year, with testing and field experimentation expected to commence in early 2025. This timeline reflects the commitment to rapid development and deployment of this critical technology.