A consortium led by Glasgow Airport and net zero consulting co-developer Ikigai is to test the feasibility of a hydrogen production, storage and distribution hub at the Scottish travel hub.
The scheme has secured funding from the Scottish government, which forms part of its £7m Hydrogen Innovation Scheme which aims to support the development of renewable hydrogen technologies.
The Glasgow Airport Hydrogen Innovation Hub project will determine the most efficient, bankable, green hydrogen production, storage and refuelling solutions and assess the operational feasibility of a hydrogen hub at the airport.
The international consortium includes H2GO Power, ZeroAvia, Ricardo, Altrad Babcock, green fuels retailer OG Clean Fuels, the University of Glasgow, Scottish Water Horizons and two airlines (easyJet and Loganair).
The feasibility study will use an AI software solution created by H2GO Power, to compare the relative efficiency of electrolyser and storage solutions, integrate the optimal modular electrolyser technology with an onsite solar microgrid, already developed at Glasgow Airport by Ikigai and assess and report how solid-state storage can overcome these challenges.
The study will also design the optimal infrastructure and process for delivery of hydrogen from solid-state storage to a gaseous mobile storage and dispensing unit for delivery to hydrogen aircraft and ground-handling equipment.
The project is expected to be completed by early 2024, with the long-term goal of applying this concept to other regional terminals, to create a UK network of hydrogen-ready sites, including Aberdeen and Southampton which together with Glasgow form AGS Airports.
Group head of capital investment at AGS Airports Jon Matthews 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.”