Green hydrogen solutions provider Protium has partnered with Siemens to develop new digital twin technology for hydrogen refuelling of aircraft.
According to the collaboration, hydrogen technologies are essential to support the 2050 net zero target for domestic flights. Green hydrogen produced using renewable electricity can replace conventional fossil fuels; however current technology is not able to deliver the rapid refuelling essential to make hydrogen commercially viable for the aviation sector.
The joint project aims to create rapid refuelling technology via a digital twin approach to accelerate design and testing. This deploys a digital model of the refuelling system to explore the decision space to optimise system design, then simulate and optimise real-world performance, reducing the need for expensive prototyping.
Jen Baxter, director of innovation and policy at Protium, said: “This novel approach to designing refuelling systems will increase confidence and understanding in the capabilities of emerging hydrogen technology, increase uptake across the UK and accelerate the transition to zero emission flight and tackle climate change.”
The Digital Twin project is grant-funded by the Connected Places Catapult and the UK Department for Transport, to help advance innovative technology that will accelerate the transition to zero emission flight.
