A consortium led by Glasgow Airport (GLA) and Ikigai has secured funding from the Scottish Government to explore the feasibility of constructing a hydrogen production, storage and distribution hub that would support zero-emission flights at the airport.
The funding was confirmed by the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf as part of the Scottish Government’s 7 million GBP Hydrogen Innovation Scheme.
The Glasgow Airport Hydrogen Innovation Hub project will determine the most efficient green hydrogen production, storage and refuelling solutions and will assess the operational feasibility of establishing a hydrogen hub at the airport.
This study will include:
- Utilising an AI software solution created by H2GO Power to compare the relative efficiency of electrolyser and storage solutions
- Integrating the optimal modular electrolyser technology with an onsite solar microgrid developed at Glasgow Airport by Ikigai
- Assessing how solid-state storage can overcome existing challenges through deployment at the airport’s fuel farm and at a public service station
- Designing the optimal infrastructure and process for delivering hydrogen from solid-state storage to gaseous mobile storage, as well as a dispensing unit for delivery to hydrogen aircraft and ground-handling equipment
The international consortium working on this project includes H2GO Power, ZeroAvia, Ricardo, Altrad Babcock, OG Clean Fuels, the University of Glasgow, Scottish Water Horizons, easyJet and Loganair.
The project is expected to be completed by early 2024. In the long term, the consortium then intends to apply the concept to other regional airports to create a hydrogen-ready network of airports across the UK. This will include Aberdeen and Southampton which along with Glasgow, form AGS Airports.
Jon Matthews, Group Head of Capital Investment at AGS Airports, said:Hydrogen powered aircraft have the potential to completely revolutionise aviation, particularly on regional and short-haul routes. Airline manufacturers are making tangible progress on zero-emission flight and as an airport operator, it is important we start to plan for the delivery, storage and generation of hydrogen. This funding will allow us to bring together a diverse group of companies to address the unique challenges of storing hydrogen safely and at scale in an airport environment.
