Schiphol Airport Tests Hydrogen-Based Facility for Emission Reduction
Key Ideas
- Schiphol Airport is testing a hydrogen-powered GPU to provide electricity for aircraft on the ground, aiming to reduce emissions from airfield operations.
- The initiative is considered a 'world first' and is being co-funded by the European Commission through the TULIPS partnership, focusing on sustainable aviation fuel and energy storage.
- The airport aims to achieve emission-free ground activities by 2030, contributing to better air quality for employees and the local environment.
- KLM Cityhopper is actively involved in developing hydrogen-powered equipment to ensure emission-free ground operations, emphasizing the need for technological solutions in the aviation industry.
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is pioneering the testing of a new hydrogen-based facility, specifically a ground power unit (GPU), to power aircraft on the ground. This innovation is part of the airport's efforts to reduce emissions from its airfield operations. The hydrogen-powered GPU will generate electricity for lighting and cockpit power in KLM Cityhopper aircraft, marking a significant step towards sustainable aviation practices. The project is being co-funded by the European Commission through the TULIPS partnership, which is also focusing on sustainable aviation fuel and energy storage solutions. Sybren Hahn, Schiphol's executive director of infrastructure, expressed pride in being the first airport globally to implement this technology, aligning with their goal of achieving emission-free ground activities by 2030. Maarten Koopmans, managing director of KLM Cityhopper, emphasized the importance of developing hydrogen-powered equipment for emission-free ground operations, highlighting the limitations of current battery solutions in meeting operational requirements. Both Schiphol Airport and KLM Cityhopper are actively working on technological advancements to enhance sustainability in the aviation sector.