Arup and Wales & West Utilities release new report – ‘Hydrogen in Aviation’

‘Hydrogen in Aviation’ takes a closer look at the future demand for hydrogen across South Wales and South West England across four key airports in the region - Bristol Airport, Cardiff Airport, Exeter Airport and Cornwall Airport Newquay. The report analyses potential use of hydrogen for future flight, its use at airports, and its role in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) from 2023 to 2050. Demand assessment is vital in aligning the hydrogen supply chain for the region, helping potential suppliers inform business plans and collaboration decisions, as well as to understand where and when pipelines may be required in the future.

The report offers insight into hydrogen’s role in decarbonising aviation, whether that is as a feedstock for SAF, powering ground support equipment at airports, fuelling aircraft and more. It also covers expected barriers for implementation, gas transportation methods, policy, and contributing projects in the region.

The UK government is set to make strategic decisions for hydrogen heating in 2026, this is key for gas distribution networks (GDNs) as it impacts pipeline requirements for the most significant hydrogen users - of which airports are one example.

Following the ambitious targets set as part of Jet Zero Strategy launch in 2022, the report identifies and explores the role of hydrogen as the industry prepares to deliver a 10% SAF mix by 2030 followed by net zero flight by 2050. Hydrogen-powered flight and hydrogen’s role in SAF will be key to achieving this.

Using South Wales and South West England as a testbed to enable national progress, the report navigates the requirements for hydrogen to be integrated across the aviation ecosystem, in particularly for infrastructure.

Collaboration has become increasingly paramount to solving the climate crisis and aviation is no different, with multiple and interconnecting solutions requiring alignment, trust and team work to deliver. Arup is delighted to announce that today it has joined Hydrogen South West – an organisation comprising a membership which collaborates and shares knowledge to accelerate the energy transition to hydrogen.