Project description
Shaping the future of aviation: progress in green hydrogen refuelling technologies
The challenge of integrating hydrogen as an aviation fuel looms large. Conventional refuelling methods face hurdles in safety, rapidity and logistical efficiency. In this context, the EU-funded ALRIGH2T project is designed to revolutionise liquid hydrogen (LH2) aircraft refuelling, addressing these challenges head-on. Specifically, two innovative technologies are at the forefront: the first is direct LH2 refuelling with operational protocols and a digital twin model. The second is LH2 tank swap refuelling with end-to-end logistics. Both will be tested in two demonstrators in major airports. Transversal activities cover technical and techno-economic boundaries, H2 use in ground operations, and environmental, safety and regulatory aspects. Led by a consortium of European industry giants and research organisations, ALRIGH2T aspires to pioneer LH2 refuelling at an airport scale.
Objective
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
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Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
00196 Roma
Italy
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Participants (19)
1210 Wien
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5282 Ranshofen
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00185 Roma
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82049 Pullach I.Isartal
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5651 LEND
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3812 GROSS SIEGHARTS
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70100 Lod
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10128 Torino To
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
79420 Reffannes
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31700 BLAGNAC
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93290 Tremblay-En-France
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75008 Paris
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20054 Segrate Mi
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93290 Tremblay-En-France
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7465 Trondheim
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60550 Verneuil En Halatte
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80143 Napoli
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80333 Muenchen
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31192 Mutilva Alta Navarra
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Partners (1)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
8422 Pfungen
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