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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WWU_02_14
Title	Hydrogen for Aviation
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Energy Efficiency(Transport) 20%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Hydrogen end uses (incl. combustion; excl. fuel cells)) 80%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 January 2023
End Date	31 July 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£161,304
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Wales
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WWU_02_14
Objectives	"This project will conduct a literature review of hydrogen developments in the UK aviation industry to understand current ambitions, barriers to deployment, and the geographical implications of using existing gas network infrastructure to supply hydrogen to points of demand (notably airports, and locations for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production).The project will undertake a demand assessment from aviation across the Hydrogen South West (HSW) and the South Wales Industrial Clusters (SWIC) footprints, focussing on Bristol and Cardiff as case studies, to gain a deeper understanding of opportunities and barriers. In turn this will inform the infrastructure requirements and any repurposing of assets for hydrogen around them, with recommendations for further steps to fill evidence gaps.This project is a follow on project from Regional Decarbonisation Pathways, and will help develop near and long term planning for the future of the network, informing early thinking around the development of the Hydrogen South West cluster, and setting direction for further work in Wales and southwest England. Learning from the project is expected to be applicable across GB.The project will follow the below structure:Baseline review of current literature and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for hydrogen use in UK aviation (mapped) including SAF, hydrogen for fuel cell and combustion for aircraft, ground operations and supply chain.Case studies for potential hydrogen requirements (demand, quality/purity and other considerations) for Cardiff and Bristol airports and aerospace sectors, and how this may evolve in different phases between 2022-2050 in the following areas:a. Ground operationsb. SAF (including production locations)c. Short haul aircraftd. Long haul aircrafte. Aerospace supply chainFinal report (public-facing)" "Literature Review and Background Study: Work has already been carried out in the UK on this topic, providing wide-ranging studies which ARUP will build on in this review of current literature such as those conducted for Aerospace Technology Institute via the FlyZero programme. These included TRL assessments and road maps covering key technologies, including, for instance, cryogenic fuel systems and storage, hydrogen gas turbines, hydrogen fuel cells and electrical propulsion systems and advanced manufacturingStakeholder Engagement: An online stakeholder mapping workshop will take place. This will be used to produce an engagement plan for gathering the required demand scenario data for the case studies. This will detail the projects stakeholders, the strategy for how stakeholder engagement will be carried out and how the findings will be processed and shared.Case Studies:Demand Scenarios: The project will start the case studies by looking at possible demand scenarios and how these may evolve between 2022 and 2050Hydrogen Production, Storage and Distribution for Demand Scenarios: The case studies will consider the hydrogen eco-system needed to support the demand scenariosFinal Report: A final report which will bring together the findings from the case studies to provide WWU with comprehensive information to support their objective to explore the potential hydrogen requirements for Cardiff and Bristol airports and aerospace sectors out to 2050, helping to develop both near and long term strategic project direction.There is a lot of ongoing work to identify the most effective route to meet net zero in the UK and this project is one of many projects to evidence the major or minor role hydrogen will have in different scenarios. Repurposing the UK gas networks with hydrogen to support the challenge of the climate change act has the potential to save £millions with minimal gas customer disruption verses alternative decarbonisation solutions" To assist networks in understanding the potential scale and timing of requirements for hydrogen for aviation, alongside potential barriers and challenges.
Abstract	"The aviation sector has a significant challenge to help achieve net zero, as it currently contributes 2.5% of global CO2 emissions and 7% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen could play a role in decarbonising the sector, not only as a direct fuel source for future aircraft, but also for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and in the aerospace supply chain. WWU need to understand the potential scale and timing of requirements for hydrogen for aviation, alongside potential barriers and challenges, as they explore the role their infrastructure may be able to play in delivering blended and 100% hydrogen in a decarbonised energy system."
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	01/11/23