Ground Operations of LIquid hydrogen AircrafT

Project Information

GOLIAT

Grant agreement ID: 101138379

DOI

10.3030/101138379

EC signature date 15 April 2024

Start date 1 May 2024

End date 30 April 2028

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 15 203 387,63

EU contribution

€ 10 800 156,97

Coordinated by

AIRBUS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GOLIAT (Ground Operations of LIquid hydrogen AircrafT)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Aviation faces a critical challenge: Decarbonizing to meet climate goals. In the near future, hydrogen will be a solution to decarbonise short and medium-haul aviation. In particular, liquid hydrogen (LH2) is a high-potential solution for zero-emission flight, yet the specific infrastructure and procedures for handling LH2 on the ground at commercial airports are largely undefined.

GOLIAT (Ground Operations of LIquid hydrogen AircrafT) addresses this gap by developing and contributing to the demonstration of LH2 ground operations value chain. The project aims to de-risk the introduction of future large hydrogen-powered aircraft by validating safe, reliable and commercially viable technologies and operational procedures.

The objectives are:
● Demonstrating small-scale liquid hydrogen aircraft ground operations: Perform LH2 refuelling, taxiing and handling demonstrations with a small-scale aircraft at three European airports: Stuttgart, Rotterdam The Hague and Lyon Saint-Exupéry.
● Developing and demonstrating LH2 refuelling technologies scaled up for future large commercial aircraft: Design and prototype a high-performance mobile refueller, an aircraft-based storage and distribution system, to be tested together in 2027.
● Developing the standardisation and certification framework of future liquid hydrogen operations: Contribute to the certification and standardisation framework for LH2 equipment and operations in alignment with EU regulations.
● Study the impact of hydrogen aircraft on airport operations: Analyse how hydrogen-powered aircraft could affect airport operations: infrastructure requirements, fuelling processes, safety protocols and logistical adjustments needed to support this new technology.
● Assessing the sizing and economics of hydrogen value chains for airports: Evaluate the techno-economic viability of hydrogen value chains and infrastructure scaling for airports.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During its first 18 months, GOLIAT has successfully moved from conceptualization to detailed engineering, regulations and an economics study of LH2 aviation, particularly ground operations and refuelling.

Refuelling hardware development (WP2, WP3): Significant engineering progress was made in defining the physical refuelling systems.
● Ground-Based Refueller: The team finalised a dual-trailer design concept. The first trailer will house the LH2 tank and cryogenic pump, while a second ‘techno-trailer’ will carry the hose handling and auxiliary equipment. Chart Ferox has filed a patent application for this specific loading assembly. A major technical hurdle was resolved regarding the high-flow pump design. A pump has been defined and selected to ensure performance testing and safety, with the target to achieve a flow rate of 5 to 7.2 tons/hour to meet the Turn-Around-Time objectives. This pump will be built with third parties in 2026.
● Aircraft-based refuel system: A LH2 storage and distribution system is being developed, based on an already existing concept, that will be upgraded and adapted for GOLIAT testing. This system includes a 400 kg capacity tank -functionally representative of a future product aircraft- as well as an advanced refuel coupling for aircraft.

Operational Demonstrations (WP5): Preparations are ongoing for ground operations demonstrations at Stuttgart, Rotterdam The Hague and Lyon Saint-Exupéry airports.
● The project delivered the Feasibility Study for LH2 aircraft ground operations (D5.1) which outlines infrastructure needs and safety frameworks.
● Site preparation: Detailed layout planning for the first demonstration at Stuttgart is complete and H2FLy's HY4 aircraft is undergoing final verification.

Standardisation & Economics (WP6, WP7, WP8): The project started an analysis of the required regulatory framework and economic assessment.
● Certification: A specification for “LH2 Refueller Compatibility with Airports” (D6.1) is on-going and a subcontractor was selected to map applicable EU laws and conformity requirements.
● Techno-Economic Modelling: Five core scenarios were defined for the hydrogen value chain. These scenarios were published in D8.1 and will guide future demand modelling.
● Infrastructure: A comprehensive methodology was established to assess the impact of hydrogen aircraft on airport operations, specifically focusing on refuelling steps and turnaround processes.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Technological Innovation: The project is developing high-flow LH2 refuelling technologies that exceed current capabilities. The design of a mobile refueller capable of 5 to 7.2 tons/hour represents a significant leap necessary for competitive aircraft turnaround times. The "Techno-Trailer" concept developed by Chart Ferox is a novel industrial loading assembly, now subject to a patent application, offering a standardized solution for safe LH2 handling in constrained airport environments.

Expected Results: In 2028, GOLIAT will deliver:
● Validated Refuelling Systems: A fully tested TRL6 mobile refueller and a representative aircraft LH2 storage system.
● Operational Demonstrations: Three ground operation campaigns at Stuttgart, Rotterdam and Lyon airports. These will provide real-world data on refuelling procedures, safety zones and handling logistics.
● Standardisation Guidelines: A comprehensive framework for LH2 airport operations, including safety requirements and certification pathways for refuelling equipment, filling the current regulatory gap.
● Techno-Economic Assessment Models: Validated models for hydrogen demand, supply chain costs and airport infrastructure scaling.

Potential Impacts:
● Socio-Economic: The project prepares European airports for the "hydrogen transition", securing the competitiveness of the EU aviation industry. By defining the economics of the supply chain and refuelling infrastructure requirements, GOLIAT will provide airports and energy providers with the data needed to plan investments.
● Societal & Environmental: GOLIAT contributes to enabling zero-emission aviation. The demonstrations will play a crucial role in fostering social acceptance of hydrogen technologies among passengers and local communities by proving that LH2 can be handled safely in a commercial airport environment.
● Regulatory: The project outputs will feed directly into European standardisation bodies, accelerating the establishment of a harmonized regulatory framework essential for the widespread adoption of hydrogen aircraft.

WP5 H2FLY Plane used in GOLIAT first demo at Stuttgart Airport

GOLIAT LOGO

ZEROe fully electric hydrogen-powered aircraft at airport (artist rendering)

WP8 Scenarios

WP2 CHART Overall overview of the refueller