New facility set to fuel future flight innovation

A postgraduate-only public research university is expanding its clean energy research capabilities with a new advanced facility designed to support net-zero innovation and skills development.

Cranfield University, near Milton Keynes, has completed a new test cell facility as part of the Cranfield Hydrogen Integration Incubator (CH2i) project, delivered by contractor Lindum alongside Influence Landscape Planning and Design.

Located on campus next to Cranfield Airport, the Cranfield Power & Propulsion Laboratories (CPPL) will support research into decarbonising aviation, including the integration of new aircraft power systems and the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

Professor Vassilios Pachidis, head of centre for propulsion and thermal power engineering at Cranfield University, said: “The new Cranfield Power and Propulsion Laboratories (CPPL) will help shape the future of flight. 

“By solving the challenges around the aerodynamic and thermodynamic integration of advanced power and propulsion systems into aircraft, we will make aviation cleaner and more efficient.”

The 1000sq m building includes ten lab spaces with control rooms, plus a workshop to support advanced testing. 

It will also play a role in training future industry talent, including master’s and PhD students.

Kathryn Dunk, principle landscape architect at Influence, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the University on the landscape element of the project and we are proud to have surpassed the biodiversity and net gain targets. 

“Our landscape design has connected the new facility to the campus and created space for nature.”

Darren King, managing director of Lindum Peterborough, added: “We are pleased to have delivered this important facility for Cranfield University, which will play a vital role in advancing clean aviation technologies and supporting the next generation of industry specialists.

“Meeting the tight programme and the high sustainability standards set for the project was a real team effort, and we particularly valued working closely with the landscape architects to help realise the University’s vision for a biodiverse, high-quality setting. 

“We’re delighted that the finished building and surrounding landscape now provide an excellent environment for world-leading research, and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with both the University and Influence on a scheme that makes a meaningful contribution to future decarbonisation.” 

Other construction partners on the project included architect Anotherkind, project manager 3CProjects, cost advisor Gardiner Theobald, engineer DICE Consult and mechanical and electrical engineer Chord Consult.

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