Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is pushing ahead with plans to become the UK’s first regional hub to produce its own hydrogen after collaborating with ITM Power, the largest operator of hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK.
The proposals for a new sustainable energy hub will use hydrogen and rapid EV charging facilities to power the airport’s fleet of vehicles, as well as allowing LBA to fuel the next generation of hydrogen and EV powered ground handling vehicles. The initiative is part of LBA’s current application for a replacement terminal and, if approved, would mean work could start on the energy hub as early as 2022.
“This project is a clear indicator of how serious LBA is about its future sustainability commitments and the first step in realising our ambitions to become a carbon net zero airport for ground-based operations,” said Charles Johnson, Head of Development at Leeds Bradford Airport. “It represents a significant investment in the sustainable future of the airport, preparing us for the new wave of hydrogen and EV powered specialist vehicles on the horizon,” he added.
With 20 years experience in producing hydrogen from [PEM] electrolysis ITM currently has eight stations in the UK where green hydrogen is produced. These provide zero-carbon fuel for both heavy duty vehicles and cars where continued use, long range or heavy loads are required, complementing the use of Battery Electric Vehicles for shorter journeys.
“Passengers will increasingly demand efficient and readily available charging as vehicle technologies continue to develop and become commonplace and we want to be at the forefront of this new way of thinking and operating,” Johnson noted. He also said that, “this initiative is the first of many that form part of our replacement terminal plans, which will have a direct impact on businesses and the economy in Yorkshire. We believe that LBA has a big role to play in the long-term future of the region and we have the perfect opportunity to lead on creating meaningful changes to infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, Duncan Yellen, Managing Director at ITM Power, Motive explained that green hydrogen provides the missing piece in the transport jigsaw. “It frees transport to perform all the functionality currently delivered by diesel whilst emitting nothing but clean water and helping us power our way to a net zero future.”
LBA’s plans for a replacement terminal were submitted to Leeds City Council in May. They include the construction of a modern, three floor, 34,000 sq. met. building on an alternative site within the airport’s boundary. If approved, the state-of-the-art terminal building, designed by leading architects, would deliver a passenger experience beyond what is achievable in the existing terminal, which was built in 1965.
