Airports as Catalysts for Decarbonization

Airport owners and operators need to plan for the delivery and storage of hydrogen now if they are to be ready to fuel hydrogen-powered aircraft which are expected by 2035. New research by Jacobs, "Airports as Catalysts for Decarbonization", provides a roadmap for airports to implement to begin preparing for hydrogen fueling technologies, building on our work for the Aeronautical Technology Institute FlyZero Report, “Airports, Airlines and Airspace - Operations and Hydrogen Infrastructure”.

Due to the length of time it takes to plan, design, consult and implement new airport infrastructure, airports must make provisions ahead of the first commercially available hydrogen-powered aircraft expected in the early to mid-2030s.

To help airports transition, Jacobs evaluated three scenarios for the supply and storage of hydrogen at an airport:

Scenario 1 - the delivery of liquid hydrogen directly to the airport by truck.

Scenario 2 - the use of a hydrogen gas pipeline with on-site liquefaction.

Scenario 3 - the use of electrolysis for hydrogen production on site at the airport.