08 Feb 2024
ALRIGH2T drives innovation towards future aviation with cutting-edge refuelling technologies and processes
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With funding close to 10 M€ and a duration of 48 months, ALRIGH2T project, "Airport-level
demonstration of ground refueling of liquid hydrogen for aviation", aims to develop innovative
refueling technologies and processes that contribute to reducing the environmental
impact of the aviation sector, responsible for 2.5-3% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
ENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic
Development, leads this collaborative project funded by the European Union under the
Horizon Europe program, which is intended to facilitate the transition to liquid hydrogenbased
propulsion solutions with proven efficiency, safety and viability.
To that end, ALRIGH2T brings together an international consortium of 21 partners from 7
European Union countries and Israel: Italy (ENEA, Piaggio Aerospace, Digisky, SEA, ATENA),
Austria (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum
Ranshofen, SAG, Test-Fuchs), Germany (Linde, Technical University of Munich), Switzerland
(Linde Kryotechnik), France (TLD, Universal Hydrogen Europe, Group Europe Handling, Amelia
by Regourd Aviation, Groupe ADP, INERIS), Norway (SINTEF), Spain (Zabala Innovation), and
Israel (Israel Aerospace Industries). A diverse array of entities, ranging from companies and
institutions to academic centers, all possessing specialized knowledge in the design and
manufacturing of aviation equipment and liquid hydrogen.
Towards climate-neutral aviation: LH2-based propulsion
Hydrogen-based propulsion has the potential to be a significant part of the propulsion
technology mix in the near future, aiming to achieve climate-neutral aviation by 2050.
Combustion of hydrogen could reduce the climate impact by 50-75% per flight compared to
kerosene-based engines, while fuel cell-based propulsion has an even greater estimated
impact reduction (75-90%).
However, the development of innovative LH2-based solutions presents many new challenges
related to hydrogen management and handling at airports, ensuring delivery timelines, and
maintaining high levels of safety and operational protection. ALRIGH2T's deployment of
refueling systems aims to address these significant challenges posed by LH2 use in aviation.
LH2 direct refueling and tank swapping tested at international airports
Innovative solutions addressed within the project, LH2 direct aircraft refueling and tank
swapping, will be demonstrated at two European airports: Milan-Malpensa International
Airport and a reference airport in Paris. This approach allows the ALRIGH2T project to cover
various types of airports and inspire other airports or potential pathways to replicate the
developed solutions.
Specifically, ALRIGH2T will develop and test full-scale hydrogen-powered aviation
technologies with the ultimate goal of bringing these solutions to the market and realizing
advancements crucial for the future deployment of LH2-powered aircraft.
Finding compromise solutions will be necessary to ensure the proper supply of hydrogen to
aircraft, correct ground movements at the airport, and the establishment of new clauses and
standardization policies governing the implementation and replication of these solutions in
other airports.
