Airport’s plan for pipeline to ‘super’ fuel
NEW FACILITY WOULD HELP POWER HYDROGEN PLANES
Manchester airport has unveiled plans to be the first in the UK with direct access to a hydrogen fuel pipeline.
the airport said hydrogen technology was expected to play a key role in decarbonising the aviation sector, with hydrogen-powered aircraft expected to come into operation from the mid2030s for short-haul journeys. and it said a research project involving Manchester airports Group estimated the demand for liquid hydrogen at an airport the size of Manchester could be 6.5 million litres a day by 2050.
Bosses confirmed a partnership with hynet, one of the UK’s leading Government-backed industrial decarbonisation projects.
the airport said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the two founding partners of hynet Progressive energy, which develops projects to decarbonise the energy sector, and gas distribution network cadent, which will build and operate hynet’s hydrogen pipeline network.
It’s hoped to deliver hydrogen to the aviation sector at the earliest opportunity, said bosses, including through the connection of Manchester airport to a pipeline being developed by hynet.
the announcement has been backed by aviation Minister Baroness Vere and energy and climate change Minister Graham stuart, as well as northern leaders and the north West hydrogen alliance.
they called hydrogen the ‘super fuel of the future.’
chris Woodroofe, managing director at Manchester airport, said: “By securing a direct supply of hydrogen for our airport, our 60 airlines will be able to make use of this exciting and groundbreaking technology as soon as possible.”
aviation Minister Baroness Vere said: “hydrogen offers great potential to decarbonise flying, but we need the right infrastructure at our airports to help harness that opportunity.”
energy and climate change Minister Graham stuart said:“this new partnership is an exciting step that will help put the north West at the heart of efforts to make the UK a world-leading hydrogen economy.”
chris Manson-Whitton, ceO of Progressive energy said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with Manchester airport to make a significant impact on decarbonising aviation as we all play our part in reaching net zero and combating climate change.”