Tsinghua University-backed startup "Yi-Qing Power" secures millions for aircraft hydrogen engines
Chinese startup Yi-Qing Power, founded by a team of Tsinghua University PhDs, has completed a pre-Series A funding round of tens of millions of yuan. The investment, led by Hong Niao Qihang Fund and Guizhou Kechuang Angel Fund, will accelerate the development of its aviation-grade liquid-cooled fuel cell products and the commercialization of its air-cooled fuel cell systems. While hydrogen fuel cells have seen significant development in the automotive sector, their application in aviation in China is still nascent. Yi-Qing Power aims to leverage hydrogen's advantages, such as higher energy density and faster refueling compared to batteries, for applications like eVTOLs. The company's founder, Zhang Kexun, a Tsinghua University alumnus, believes hydrogen fuel will become more cost-effective than aviation kerosene in China, making it the preferred aviation technology. Yi-Qing Power's technology roadmap includes both liquid-cooled systems for high-power, long-endurance applications like high-altitude flight, and air-cooled systems for shorter-term commercialization in the low-altitude economy, such as drones. The liquid-cooled technology is targeting over 100kW power output and aims for tens of thousands of hours of lifespan, while the air-cooled systems are designed for rapid iteration and deployment in drone inspections and logistics. Yi-Qing Power is collaborating with COMAC and several eVTOL manufacturers. The company anticipates significant revenue growth from its air-cooled solutions in drone inspection by 2026, with liquid-cooled systems expected to contribute to revenue in the following years. Zhang Kexun is optimistic about China's potential to lead in hydrogen aviation due to rapid advancements in green hydrogen production and market adoption speed.
Yi-Qing Power's strategy of pursuing both high-barrier liquid-cooled and near-term air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell technologies reflects a pragmatic approach to navigating the nascent hydrogen aviation market. The dual-pronged strategy aims to secure long-term technological leadership while generating immediate revenue to sustain operations and further R&D. This approach acknowledges the significant lead European entities have in aviation fuel cell research, but seeks to capitalize on China's rapidly developing green hydrogen infrastructure and potential for accelerated market adoption, drawing parallels to the country's success in the electric vehicle sector. The company's focus on specific applications like eVTOLs and drone operations addresses key performance limitations of current battery technology, such as range and refueling time. The success of this venture will hinge on overcoming stringent aviation certification processes, scaling manufacturing efficiently, and the continued cost reduction of green hydrogen production.
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