Airport-Level DemonstRatIon of Ground refuelling of Liquid Hydrogen for AviaTion

ongoing

ALRIGH2T responds in full to the “expected outcomes” and “scope” of the HORIZON-CL5-2023-D5-01-07 topic, by developing and demonstrating two alternative technologies for LH2 aircraft refuelling: - Direct LH2 refuelling, encompassing the definition of operational protocols for safe and rapid refuelling, the development and testing of a LH2 transfer pump and an instrumented tank, their integration in an iron bird laboratory for the execution of refuelling/defueling tests and the delivering of a digital twin model. - LH2 tanks swap refuelling, encompassing end-to-end logistic and supply chain of tank modules, the design of the associated on- and off-site infrastructure and its demonstration. Both concepts will achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project, undergoing a comprehensive technology evaluation informed by demonstration results in two major airports, i.e. Milan Malpensa and Paris (Orly or LeBourget) respectively. The two technology lines are complemented by transversal activities for the definition of technical and techno-economic boundary conditions, the demonstration of the use of H2 for ground operations (i.e. H2 powered tow vehicle, demonstrated at the Malpensa site) as well as environmental, safety and regulatory cross-cutting aspects. ALRIGH2T has the ambition of demonstrating, for the first time, LH2 refuelling in a scale compatible with airport operations, synergizing with the Clean Aviation research and development efforts at the aircraft level. The project is implemented by a consortium built on the competences of top European industrial players, positioned along entire hydrogen and aeronautic value chain, complemented by research and technology organisations and selected member of the Advisory Board, including the EASA. ALRIGH2T is expected to be a cornerstone in the path towards the deployment of LH2 as an aviation fuel, strengthening the European research and industry leadership and consolidating the role of green airports as hubs of the H2 economy