£69m boost for Cranfield University 'Hydrogen Hub'

The Hub is the largest ever research funding win for Cranfield University

The largest hydrogen research hub at any UK airport will be built at a Bedfordshire university.

Science and Technology specialists at an airport run by Cranfield University have successfully bid for £69m to continue examining how the fuel can help meet zero emissions targets.

It is the largest research funding win in the university's history and cash will also be used for equipment and staffing to support the project.

Prof Karen Holford said: "It’s a very exciting prospect for our researchers, partners and for the aviation industry."

As the only university in Europe with its own airport, Cranfield has a controlled airside environment which can demonstrate, test and advance new technologies

With the Government setting domestic aviation a target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040, the Cranfield Hydrogen Integration Incubator (CH2i) will support the industry in moving towards the use of the fuel at scale.

It will provide an environment to develop the production of technologies as well as storage tanks, aircraft designs and engines that are urgently required to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen in a net zero world.

The project includes building new labs to create an on-site Hydrogen Integration Research Centre.

There will also be an upgrade of test areas to support hydrogen and liquid hydrogen activity, plus development of Cranfield Airport’s infrastructure, increasing its capability for safe operation and testing.

Cranfield claims to be the only university in Europe with its own airport, which can demonstrate, test and advance new technologies.

Prof Holford said: "Working with research and industry partners nationally and internationally, we will unlock some of the most significant technical challenges around the future development and deployment of hydrogen in aviation.

She added: "It’s a very exciting prospect for our researchers, partners and for the aviation industry.

"It will help to build the pathway to net zero emissions aviation.”