Hydrogen Ground Power Unit Groningen Airport Eelde
About this good practice
In cooperation with Groningen Airport Eelde (GAE), as a part of the Interreg North Sea Region project HyTrEc2, the adjustments to have the world's first Ground Power Unit (GPU) run on hydrogen have been made by the Province of Drenthe. The retrofitting of the GPU took place as a pilot action within the project. These GPU’s are used to supply the planes of the airport with electricity while it is grounded and have been found to be responsible for roughly 10% of airport emissions. The transition from a diesel-electric GPU to a hydrogen GPU allows for the CO2 emissions of handling the aircraft to be decreased significantly.
The retrofitting of the GPU was mostly made possible through the involvement of Holthausen Clean Technologies, KLM Equipment Services, Noorderpoort school, and several other parties. The retrofitting was mostly carried out by Holthausen and students of Noorderpoort.
Resources needed
The pilot was funded for 50% by the Province of Drenthe and for 50% through ERDF funding.
Evidence of success
The retrofitting of a GPU has shown the potential for a significant decrease in Co2 emissions when fuelling a hydrogen GPU with green hydrogen.
The hydrogen GPU has sparked a ton of interest, with around 20 organisations in the North Sea Region looking to invest in similar measures. The GPU has furthermore been presented among other hydrogen-related innovations during a visit from the Dutch king in Spain.
Potential for learning or transfer
There is a large potential for learning or transfer resulting from this pilot, as there is a large market transnationally for hydrogen ground power units and generators at airports, as well as building sites, hospitals and several other settings. There is a large number of organisations that have expressed interest in a hydrogen GPU.
The experience has furthermore provided information on the economic and environmental viability of the a hydrogen GPU. These insights form a useful groundwork for any organisation aiming to adopt similar measures surrounding hydrogen GPU’s and generators, and are made fit for transfer through GAE’s position as NXT Airport.
Further information
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