Start of green hydrogen production
This week, the Lleida-Alguaire Airport has given the go-ahead to the production of green hydrogen thanks to solar energy. The central objective of this innovative proposal is to attract companies from the aeronautical and aerospace sectors, especially those working on solutions with electric motors, hydrogen and synthetic fuels. With this initiative, the Lleida airport seeks to position itself as a point of reference in Europe in the promotion of sustainable energy in aviation, as well as establish itself as a fundamental hub for research, development and innovation (R +D+I) in the energy transition and a laboratory for new aeronautical and space initiatives that use sustainable fuels.
Installation details
The generation of hydrogen is carried out by means of a 100 kw electrolysis system, linked to the solar panels installed in the airport complex. This system has a tank of 6 cubic meters to store the hydrogen produced. The initial objective is to produce between 5 and 6 tons of hydrogen per year, with aspirations to increase production in the coming years, with the aim of turning Lleida-Alguaire Airport into a self-sufficient energy island, without stop supplying electricity and hydrogen to associated companies. Currently, the airport’s photovoltaic park has 1,768 panels, after adding 136 new units, with the intention of expanding this amount.
Utilization of the hydrogen produced
Meanwhile, pending further collaborations with companies, the hydrogen that is initially generated will be applied to the initiatives of the aeroH2ub project, which includes the participation of Lleida-Alguaire Airport, the alternative fuel company Evarm, and the company Aldoratech, specialized in industrial applications for drones. Evarm is working on a hydrogen solution for handling services, which includes ground assistance for aircraft. For its part, Aldoratech will develop a drone with the capacity to transport goods powered by green hydrogen. In the next 2 years, this green hydrogen generation project will involve an investment of 3.2 million euros, with 1.8 million coming from European Next Generation funds, and the rest financed by Aeroports de Catalunya, entities of the State and the companies Evarm and Aldoratech, members of the aeroH2ub Consortium.
