Tomorrow's airports and their transformation into energy-focused infrastructures?
Airbus' Hydrogen Hub at Airports Initiative Tackles Aviation's Carbon Footprint
In a bid to reduce the environmental impact of air travel, Airbus is spearheading a collaborative effort to develop hydrogen infrastructure at airports worldwide. The Hydrogen Hub at Airports initiative, launched in 2020, is partnering with over 220 airports globally, working closely with airport authorities, airlines, and energy providers to create a sustainable future for aviation.
The project's primary focus is on developing hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling facilities at airports, leveraging existing infrastructure to minimise costs and regulatory hurdles. This accelerates deployment timelines and integration into current air traffic management systems.
Airbus is also collaborating with energy providers to supply green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources, ensuring the hydrogen used has a minimal carbon footprint. This partnership is crucial in decarbonising airport-associated infrastructure beyond just aircraft propulsion, extending to ground vehicles, support equipment, and energy systems within the airport.
Direct engagement with airlines is another key aspect of the project. By ensuring operational feasibility and alignment on new aircraft technologies, such as hydrogen propulsion systems, Airbus aims to facilitate the transition to zero-emission aircraft by 2035.
Through these partnerships, Airbus is supporting the European Green Deal’s ambition for climate neutrality by 2050, integrating hydrogen as a clean energy vector in both the air and on the ground at airports.
Beyond aircraft operations, Airbus and its partners are innovating to decarbonise airport infrastructure. Hydrogen fuel is being considered for airport ground vehicles and equipment, replacing conventional fossil fuels. Additionally, hydrogen-based energy storage and direct air capture technologies are being incorporated to reduce CO2 emissions within airport facilities.
The interconnectivity of hydrogen supply chains involving production, transport, and consumption at airports is also being enhanced, creating a blueprint for scalable green hydrogen ecosystems in aviation hubs.
Airbus' collaborative approach through the Hydrogen Hub at Airports initiative demonstrates a comprehensive strategy, combining technological innovation, infrastructure development, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance the decarbonisation of the entire airport ecosystem using hydrogen as a key clean energy solution.
The results of the studies conducted with SAS Airlines and easyJet, as well as additional strategic partnerships with key players across the aviation ecosystem in markets worldwide, are expected to be announced throughout 2021.
Sources: 1. Airbus (2021). Hydrogen Hub at Airports: Decarbonising Airport-Associated Infrastructure. [Online] Available at: https://www.airbus.com/innovation/hydrogen-at-airports.html 2. European Commission (2019). European Green Deal. [Online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en 3. Airbus (2020). Airbus and ADP (Paris Airports) Join Forces to Study Hydrogen Infrastructure Needs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly Airports. [Online] Available at: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/06/airbus-and-adp-paris-airports-join-forces-to-study-hydrogen-infrastructure-needs-at-paris-charles-de-gaulle-and-paris-orly-airports.html 4. Airbus (2020). Airbus and Air Liquide Join Forces to Study Hydrogen Infrastructure Needs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly Airports. [Online] Available at: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/06/airbus-and-air-liquide-join-forces-to-study-hydrogen-infrastructure-needs-at-paris-charles-de-gaulle-and-paris-orly-airports.html
- The Hydrogen Hub at Airports initiative, led by Airbus, brings together partners from the industry, climate-change research, technological innovation, and environmental-science to develop sustainable aviation solutions.
- With a goal of using green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources, Airbus is collaborating with energy providers and finance institutions to fund the development of hydrogen production, storage, and refueling facilities at airports.
- To drive the transition to zero-emission aircraft by 2035, Airbus is working closely with airlines to ensure the operational feasibility and alignment of new aircraft technologies like hydrogen propulsion systems.
- Beyond aviation, Airbus' partners are also investigating the use of hydrogen as a clean energy solution for ground vehicles, equipment, and energy systems within the airport, helping to decarbonise the entire airport ecosystem.
