LIQUID HYDROGEN STORAGE FACILITY OFFICIALLY OPENS AT ROTTERDAM THE HAGUE AIRPORT

 

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.

 

Developed within the TULIPS project and part of the DutcH₂ Aviation Hub of Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport, this facility is a testament to collaborative research efforts, engaging both knowledge institutions and the manufacturing industry to accelerate innovation.

 

A new step forward in aviation research

The Liquid Hydrogen Storage Facility represents a key moment in aviation research, offering a unique platform for integration and scaling possibilities at a fully operational airport.

 

Daan van Dijk, Program Manager of the DutcH₂ Aviation Hub, said:

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.”

 

During the opening event on November 24^th, 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.

 

Federico Laureri, Partnerships Officer AeroDelft, said: 

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.”

 

Nanette Lim- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), said:

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.”

 

Coolpipe projectteam, said:

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.

 

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.

 

Robert Simons, Vice Mayor for Port, Economy, Hospitality and Governance, City of Rotterdam, said:

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.”-

 

Source:   Hydrogencentral