Research Project – Institute of Production Management

Computer-based decision support for the development of liquid hydrogen aircraft refuelling infrastructure at existing airports

In order to achieve the European Union's goal of being climate-neutral in all sectors by 2050, the aviation sector must provide liquid hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) as alternative fuels to fossil jet fuel. While SAFs can continue to use the existing jet fuel infrastructure, a second infrastructure must be built at existing airports for refuelling with hydrogen.

As part of the research, a Liquid Hydrogen Aircraft Refuelling Model (LH2-ARP) will be set up to analyse the minimum number of bowsers (refuelling vehicles) and the minimum number of fuelling stations at which the bowsers are loaded for different scenarios of hydrogen demand. Restrictions in operating times, capacity, reused vehicles and competition for time slots when loading the bowsers play a key role in the LH2-ARP. A simulation will then be used to analyse the applicability for a given fleet size in relation to delays in the flight schedule.

The project is part of the Cluster of Excellence "Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation - SE²A" in cooperation with TU Braunschweig.