Industry collaboration launches hydrogen trials at Exeter Airport

Exeter Airport are set to start a series of trials later this year, introducing hydrogen-fuelled ground support equipment (GSE) in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions from airport ground operations.

The groundbreaking drive is part of the ‘Zero Carbon Turn’ Project, a research collaboration made of airport owner Regional and City Airports, the global travel company TUI and Cranfield University.

The airport industry has a commitment to achieve net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, if not sooner. Airports will have to reduce their own emissions but also support broader decarbonisation programmes.

The ‘Zero Carbon Turn’ Project aims to demonstrate the capabilities and potential applications of hydrogen (H2) in airport ground operations, paving the way for future integration of hydrogen-powered aircraft.

In the initial phase of the project, a comprehensive study of Exeter Airport’s GSE operations during aircraft turnarounds was conducted by Cranfield University in partnership with TUI.

The study showed that over 78,000 litres of diesel fuel were consumed in a 12-month period, resulting in nearly 200 tonnes of CO2e emissions. Ground Power Units (GPUs), which provide electrical power to aircraft when they are parked on stand, emerged as the single largest source of emissions, accounting for nearly 39% of the total.

The upcoming trials, planned for Autumn 2024, will feature hydrogen-powered GSE including an H2-powered GPU, pushback tug, and baggage tractor. These vehicles have been retrofitted with different hydrogen technologies: hydrogen fuel cell (baggage tractor), hydrogen internal combustion (aircraft tug) and hybrid dual-fuel (hydrogen-diesel, GPU).

The trials are supported by companies ULEMCo, MULAG, Globe Fuel Cells and Fuel Cell Systems, with funding from the Connected Places Catapult and collaboration with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of its Hydrogen Challenge Sandbox initiative.

The demonstration phase aims to address key challenges related to the safe supply, storage, and delivery of hydrogen for GSE. It will also help develop airport-specific standards and regulations, identify necessary skills and training, and establish a pathway for converting existing GSE to hydrogen power.

Exeter Airport managing director Stephen Wiltshire said: “This project represents a significant step towards our goal of decarbonising airport ground operations. By adopting hydrogen technology, we not only reduce emissions in the short term but also support the long-term transition to hydrogen-powered aircraft. The new Government has committed to supporting more sustainability in the aviation sector and we hope to demonstrate how that can happen in practice.”

Dr Thomas Budd, Associate Professor or Airport Decarbonisation at Cranfield University said: “There is still much that we need to learn about hydrogen technology and operations at airports, but projects like this demonstrate what can be achieved with close collaboration and alignment between industry, academia, and the regulator. This work represents another important step in the journey to decarbonisation, and it should provide encouragement for the future of hydrogen as a zero emissions fuel for air transport.” 

It is hoped that the results of the Exeter Airport trials will inform future strategies for the wider adoption of hydrogen in airport operations, potentially leading to significant reductions in emissions and positioning Exeter Airport at the forefront of sustainable aviation practices.