In the framework of the Berlin International Air Show, which takes place from yesterday and until June 26th, European aerospace manufacturer Airbus and Linde, a leading industrial gases and engineering company, signed a memorandum of understanding to work on the development of hydrogen infrastructure at airports worldwide”, they said today.
The initiative complements the cooperation agreement signed in Singapore in February of this year. The two companies will collaborate on global aviation hydrogen supply chains, from production to storage at individual airports.
According to the report, they will define and launch pilot projects at several airports starting in early 2023. In addition, they will analyze the potential of Power-to-Liquid fuels, a type of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from liquid hydrocarbon and synthetically produced by converting renewable electricity.
In 2020, Airbus launched the “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program to drive research into the requirements for low-carbon airport infrastructure and operations. To date, it has finalized agreements with partners and airports in France, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.
“We are pleased to expand our successful collaboration with Airbus to a global scope”, said Philippe Peccard, VP Clean Energy at Linde. “By harnessing both companies’ competencies we are well positioned to collaborate with airports and government authorities in the development of viable concepts for sustainable airport hubs based on hydrogen”, he added.
Hydrogen, like other types of sustainable aviation fuels, is one of the most viable near-term alternatives to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the airline industry. Its implementation would also contribute to the decarbonization process of the ground vehicles that support operations.
See also: An Airbus H225 completes the first flight of a helicopter fueled by 100% of SAF
