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Integrating liquid hydrogen infrastructure at airports: Conclusions from an ecosystem approach at Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Journal of Airport Management,
18
(4),
367-396
(2024)
Abstract
Aviation is a contributor to global warming. Hydrogen-powered aircraft are seen as an important option to decarbonise parts of commercial aviation. Airports have a pivotal role in facilitating the development of ground infrastructure. This paper provides a broader perspective on the supply and handling of liquid hydrogen, and necessary airport developments, to enable hydrogen-powered aviation. Hydrogen-related airport development projects at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA) are presented and discussed, and a detailed overview of the airport’s liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage facility is given. To link the ongoing developments to future needs, a LH2 demand scenario for RTHA is determined for the years 2040 and 2050. Based on this demand, analysis of levelised cost of hydrogen for relevant value chains were conducted. This study exemplifies that the LH2 value chain for an airport depends on individual characteristics of the airport and its surroundings. The hydrogen demand, the airport’s proximity to larger hydrogen hubs (import and/or production hubs) and the availability of local renewable resources, which influence electricity price and hydrogen production and liquefaction costs, are key parameters and heavily influence the airport LH2 value chain. Conceptualisation and future development of hydrogen infrastructure for airport supply should take into account the above factors. LH2 demand at RTHA in the year 2050 is predicted to range between 8–14kt. Under the given electricity price assumptions, local production and liquefaction of hydrogen at the airport is not seen as a viable option, as cost savings can be achieved by making use of the Port of Rotterdam’s large hydrogen production and import cluster nearby. The work shows that trailer-based logistics for both the delivery of LH2 to the airport and subsequent usage of these trailers in the storage and dispensing process at the airport seems the most viable for RTHA (and airports that show similarities). This further indicates that current small-scale LH2 demonstration at airports provides important lessons for scaling up.
Keywords: sustainable aviation; hydrogen; liquid hydrogen; LH2; value chains; hydrogen storage; airport development; airport operations; environmental management; sustainability
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Daan Van Dijk is Senior Innovator at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, part of the Royal Schiphol Group, and works on the introduction of hydrogen and batteryelectric at the airport. He is driven by a passion for sustainable aviation, new technologies and airport development. He works, among other things, on the European Union (EU) Green Deal airport projects TULIPS and GOLIAT and has built up knowledge and experience in the domain of hydrogen infrastructure development and hydrogen handling at airports.
Hosam Ebrahim is a seasoned Senior Project Engineer at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre, specialising in research and development in ‘deep cryogenic’ testing. His primary focus involves pushing the boundaries of materials science by testing them at 20K, contributing significantly to advancements in aerospace technologies. Additionally, Hosam plays a pivotal role in the development of liquid hydrogen infrastructure, showcasing his commitment to sustainable and cutting-edge solutions in the field. Beyond the confines of the laboratory, Hosam is a passionate private pilot, finding both solace and excitement in the skies. His dedication to aviation aligns seamlessly with his professional commitment to technological advancements. He avidly follows global technological developments, demonstrating an insatiable curiosity for the latest innovations. Hosam’s multifaceted involvement in aerospace engineering, ‘deep cryogenic’ testing and liquid hydrogen infrastructure development underscores his role as a driving force in the pursuit of innovation and sustainability within the aerospace industry.
Yannick Jooss is a Research Scientist in the Department of Gas Technology, SINTEF Energy Research, Norway, working on zero-emission transport. He received his MSc in aerospace engineering from the University of Stuttgart, and his PhD degree in experimental fluid mechanics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Department of Energy and Process Engineering.
Espen Flo Bødal is a Research Scientist in the Department of Energy Systems, SINTEF Energy Research, Norway. He has a doctoral degree from NTNU Department of Electrical Energy on production and storage of hydrogen from renewable energy.
Ida Hjorth is the Research Manager for the Mobility Group in the Department of Gas Technology, SINTEF Energy Research, Norway. Ida has a background in materials and chemistry and received her PhD from NTNU Department of Chemical Engineering on electrochemical conversion of CO2 and water to synthesis gas.
