Hydrogen pipeline installed at Cotswold Airport

ZeroAvia’s will utilise the 100m long hydrogen pipeline alongside an electrolyser and mobile refueler to use low-carbon hydrogen for its test flight program. The Anglo-American company said the pipeline will help it demonstrate and explore the operational safety case for hydrogen pipelines and refuelling infrastructure at airports.

ZeroAvia, focused on hydrogen-electric aviation, received support for the pipeline from the Department for Transport and the Connected Places Catapult as part of the Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure (ZEFI) program. ZeroAvia is also collaborating with strategic investor Shell, who will design and build two commercial-scale mobile refuelers for use at ZeroAvia’s research and development site in Hollister, California.

ZeroAvia said both projects will help it to further explore the connection between aircraft refuelling and landside hydrogen use cases, such as road transport. ZeroAvia operates multiple hydrogen fuel cell road vehicles as part of its operations at Cotswold Airport and Hollister, demonstrating the potential for airports to act as hydrogen hubs for onward transport and ground operations.