Hydrogen transportation is making a surprising comeback over the past couple of years. Cars, trains and even aircraft are capitalizing on the benefits hydrogen propulsion has to offer. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus is launching a hydrogen handling and refueling project in collaboration with private and public partners in hopes of demonstrating the viability of liquid hydrogen aircraft ground handling.
Hydrogen Applications
Hydrogen has been vastly used in the automotive industry specifically in California where major automakers have brought a handful of fuel cell vehicles to market. In the Aviation industry, manufactures large and small alike have been heavily investing research into hydrogen propulsion. This is seen as a desirable option as hydrogen emits no CO2 emissions as opposed to traditional fossil fuels. According to Airbus, “Hydrogen can be combusted through modified gas-turbine engines or converted into electrical power that complements the gas turbine via fuel cells. The combination of both creates a highly efficient hybrid-electric propulsion chain powered entirely by hydrogen.” In the near future, it can also be used to create renewable synthetic aviation fuel.
Sustainable Aviation Across Europe
Over €10.8 million has been allocated from the EU’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme operating under a consortium involving Airbus (France, Germany, UK), Chart Industries (Czech Republic, Italy), TU Delft (Netherlands), Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), Royal Schiphol Group (Netherlands), Rotterdam The Hague Airport (Netherlands), Vinci Airports (France, Portugal), Stuttgart Airport (Germany), H2FLY (Germany), and Budapest Airport (Hungary). Research will primarily focus on developing and eventually demonstrating liquid hydrogen refueling technologies on a larger scale. Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport will receive hydrogen fuel in 2027 to power a hydrogen powered experimental aircraft. “We continue to believe that hydrogen will be an important fuel for the future of short-haul aviation. We welcome the opportunity to help build the operating case for the widespread daily use of liquid hydrogen at airports” said Karine Guenan, Vice President of ZEROe Ecosystem, Airbus.
