Imagine trying to fill a plane with super-chilled liquid hydrogen, which is like filling a thermos with liquid air. Right now, we have the planes in design, but airports don't have the 'gas stations' to handle it. This work builds the pumps, tanks, and safety rules to make this possible at real airports.
Aircraft manufacturers are designing hydrogen planes, but airports lack the pumps, tanks, and safety protocols to refuel them. Without this ground infrastructure, zero-emission flight cannot scale.
A centrifugal pump, instrumented tanks, a digital twin of the refuelling process, and a tank-swap logistics system.
If you are an airport operator dealing with the pressure to decarbonize by 2035 — this project developed LH2 refuelling demonstrations at Milan Malpensa and Paris that provide the blueprint for ground infrastructure.
If you are a ground handler dealing with fuel logistics — this project developed a tank swap system and H2 powered tow vehicles to modernize airport ground operations.
If you are a pump manufacturer dealing with the need for high-efficiency fuel transfer — this project developed a centrifugal pump and instrumented tank reaching TRL 6 by 2027.
Based on available project data, specific cost figures for implementation are not provided, though techno-economic assessments are part of the project's stepwise approach.
The technology is being demonstrated at an airport-level scale at two major hubs: Milan Malpensa and Paris (Orly or LeBourget).
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves 14 industry partners and aims for industrial uptake.
The project is establishing regulatory and safety frameworks in collaboration with the EASA to enable future certification and standardization.
The project aims to reach TRL 6 by 2027, supporting the entry into service of zero-emission aviation by 2035.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven, with 14 industrial partners (67% of the group) across 8 countries. This high ratio of commercial entities, combined with 5 research organizations and 1 university, suggests a strong focus on commercial viability and rapid technology transfer rather than pure academic research.
Contact AGENZIA NAZIONALE PER LE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE, L'ENERGIA E LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO SOSTENIBILE
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