Liquid Hydrogen Storage Facility opened at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, an important step in the field of hydrogen-powered aviation. This facility, designed primarily for research purposes, paves the way for innovation and collaboration opportunities. The development of the facility at the airport makes the dispensing of liquid hydrogen to research and development aircraft possible.

 

 

“The facility serves as a concrete example of how collaborative research can be effectively integrated into operational environments. By providing an accessible platform at the airport and access to liquid hydrogen, we open doors to multiple research projects.”– Daan van Dijk, Program Manager of the DutcH₂ Aviation Hub

During the opening event on November 24th, key partners, including Delft University of Technology (TUD), University of Twente, NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre), and AeroDelft presented their pioneering research projects. From the conversion of the PH-NLX aircraft suitable for hydrogen propulsion to researching liquid hydrogen flow in piping systems.

“The opening of the Liquid Hydrogen Storage Facility at RTHA is a monumental step forward, not just for the airport, but for our mission at AeroDelft. This essential infrastructure is the key enabler that allows us to progress from concept to reality, providing the vital refueling and testing capabilities needed to get our liquid hydrogen aircraft, Project Phoenix, into the air and prove truly clean flight is possible.”– Federico Laureri, Partnerships Officer AeroDelft 

 

“If we truly want to make aviation safe and sustainable, we must go beyond testing in NLR-controlled facilities on our own premises. It’s crucial that we also test hydrogen in an operational environment at the airport — that’s where we prove whether the technology is ready for practical use.” Nanette Lim- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)

 

“RTHA’s facility provides an opportunity for the Coolpipe project to test our non-invasive capacitance sensor to estimate cryogenic hydrogen flow rate and void fraction and validate predictive two-phase flow models for hydrogen fuel systems, supporting the development of safe and efficient hydrogen fuelling lines.” – Coolpipe projectteam

 

 

Air Products showcased their liquid hydrogen trailer at the facility. Air Products is an important partner in the hydrogen energy industry, recognized for its extensive knowledge in producing, distributing, and storing hydrogen. Their role in the Liquid Hydrogen Facility is crucial, as they supply the hydrogen molecule in its liquid form.

 

The official opening ceremony was conducted by Robert Simons, Vice Mayor for Port, Economy, Hospitality, and Governance of the City of Rotterdam. The City of Rotterdam has strategically allocated resources through the Sustainability Transition Budget to support hydrogen projects that are crucial for developing Europe’s Hydrogen Hub. This facility is a cornerstone in the efforts to stimulate the hydrogen economy. It plays a vital role in market creation and the development of hydrogen technologies within the aviation sector.

 

“As we celebrate the opening of this facility, we see businesses and knowledge institutions taking the lead and seize the opportunity to drive hydrogen-powered flights forward. The road to hydrogen-powered flight is a long one but concrete results like these show that progress is real. I encourage everyone to keep taking steps toward sustainable aviation—steps that will also benefit the business community.”- Robert Simons, Vice Mayor for Port, Economy, Hospitality and Governance, City of Rotterdam

About TULIPS

The TULIPS project, funded by the European Union, aims to advance low-carbon mobility and sustainability at airports, aligning with the European Green Deal’s goals. With €25 million in funding, the project strives for zero-emissions and zero-waste airports by 2030 and climate-neutral aviation by 2050. The consortium includes 32 partners, with initiatives and demonstrator projects at leading airports across Europe. For more information, visit the TULIPS website: www.tulips-greenairports.eu

 

About the Sustainability Transition Budget (DTB-subsidie)

 

With Rotterdam as a prime location for innovative CO2-neutral solutions, the Sustainability Transition Budget supports hydrogen projects, contributing to Europe’s Hydrogen Hub. The airport’s ambition aligns with the municipality’s vision to stimulate the hydrogen economy and advance hydrogen-powered flights.

 

Source: FuelCellsWorks