Six major companies including Airbus are collaborating to explore the establishment of Spain’s first hydrogen airport hub.
Airbus, Aena, Air Nostrum, Iberia, Exolum, and Repsol have united to tackle the primary challenges of developing hydrogen powered aviation in the country.
This partnership brings together the entire value chain, from energy production to ground operations, involving two airlines and a network of airports simultaneously.
The collaboration aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen powered aircraft and their integration into the airport ecosystem.
It will address hydrogen supply, infrastructure, and specific airport ground operation requirements. The ultimate objective is to nurture and support the growth of Spain’s hydrogen aviation ecosystem.
A Meeting of the Aviation and Energy Sectors
This collaborative effort brings together parties representing a comprehensive cross-section of the aviation industry and energy sector.
Their shared goal is to address the primary challenges of implementing hydrogen powered aviation in Spain, marking a significant step towards sustainable air travel.
This partnership is unique in its scope, taking in the entire value chain from primary energy production to hydrogen ground operations.
It’s the first time such a collaboration has involved two airlines and a complete network of airports simultaneously. It provides a holistic view of how hydrogen-powered aircraft can be integrated into the existing airport ecosystem.
The project will focus on multiple aspects of hydrogen implementation in aviation. Beyond addressing hydrogen supply and infrastructure needs, the collaboration will delve into the specific requirements for ground operations at airports.
This comprehensive approach aims to foster and support the growth of a robust hydrogen aviation ecosystem in Spain.
A Critical Initiative
Airbus
Karine Guenan, Airbus’ Vice President ZEROe Ecosystem, pointed out the critical nature of the hydrogen airport hub project. “At Airbus, the decarbonisation of aviation is one of our most important goals,” she stated.
Guenan noted Spain’s significant potential in renewables and low-carbon hydrogen production.
She stressed the importance of industry-wide collaboration to secure a future end-to-end hydrogen supply chain extending to airports.
Aena
Aena, Spain’s airport operator, sees this collaboration as a crucial step in its sustainability efforts. Ana Salazar, Aena’s director of sustainability, explained that the project would provide valuable insights into how hydrogen supply to Spanish airports could materialize in the future.
This understanding will be instrumental in establishing a roadmap to address the main challenges of introducing hydrogen as a new energy vector in the airport environment.
Air Nostrum
Air Nostrum, a regional airline, views its participation as an opportunity to be at the lead of aviation technology.
María José Sanz, the airline’s Director of Quality and Environment, noted their unique position to potentially become early adopters of hydrogen technology.
“As a regional airline, we have the necessary conditions to become the first implementers of hydrogen technology. This is thanks to the size of our aircraft and the average distance we fly,” Sanz explained.
Iberia
Iberia, one of Spain’s largest airlines, stressed the importance of collaboration in promoting sector decarbonization.
Teresa Parejo, Iberia’s Director of Sustainability, said hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in aviation’s future. It will likely complement the development of sustainable fuels rather than replace them entirely.
Exolum
Exolum is a company specializing in logistics and storage solutions. It is committed to developing infrastructures that support energy transition and decarbonization of air mobility.
Andrés Suárez, Exolum’s Global Strategy & Innovation Lead, highlighted their focus on hydrogen deployment as a future energy solution for the sector.
Repsol
Repsol, a major energy company, sees renewable hydrogen as a key component of its decarbonization strategy.
Luis de Oyarzabal, Repsol’s senior manager of New Business, emphasized the potential of hydrogen. This is relevant not only in industrial applications but also in the field of mobility.
He stressed the importance of collaboration with top partners to maximize the potential of this opportunity.
Airbus: Hydrogen Hub at Airports
This initiative is part of Airbus’s broader “Hydrogen Hub at Airports” program, which aims to promote the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure in aviation worldwide.
To date, Airbus has signed agreements with partners and airports in 13 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
As the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, initiatives like this Spanish hydrogen airport hub project represent crucial steps towards a more sustainable future.
By bringing together key players across the industry, this collaboration has the potential to speed the development and implementation of hydrogen powered aviation.
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