Hydrogen could serve as a vital catalyst for reducing carbon emissions in Singapore's aviation sector.
In the heart of Southeast Asia, the Singapore Hydrogen Cooperation Committee (SHCC) is making significant strides in the development of a hydrogen-powered aviation industry. The SHCC, formed by Airbus, Changi Airport Group, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), and Linde, has been focusing on understanding the airport infrastructure needed for liquid hydrogen aviation fuel.
The committee's primary focus has been on potential airport infrastructure scenarios to enable liquid hydrogen fueling. This includes the development of dedicated liquid hydrogen infrastructure at Singapore’s major aviation centers such as Changi Airport, with plans outlining possible airport scenarios involving hydrogen storage, refueling facilities, and safety protocols.
The current progress on using liquid hydrogen as aviation fuel in Singapore includes strategic studies and exploration by the SHCC, which is investigating the feasibility of integrating liquid hydrogen into aviation. The committee's efforts reflect a broader effort to decarbonize aviation, alongside initiatives like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending mandates and partnerships with fuel producers like Neste.
However, commercial adoption of liquid hydrogen-powered aviation engines remains several years away globally, given ongoing technical challenges around engine design and emissions control. The SHCC is monitoring the development of these technologies, including the launch of Airbus' ZEROe aircraft demonstrator in 2027.
Singapore's strategic location and government initiatives position it well to be a hydrogen aviation hub in Southeast Asia, contingent on further technological and infrastructure development. The country's aviation sector may consume up to 50 tonnes of liquid hydrogen daily from the 2040s, and up to 600 tonnes per day beyond 2050.
The committee has identified infrastructure scenarios that could support the progressive deployment of a large-scale supply of liquid hydrogen for aviation at Changi Airport in the longer term future. Other key factors such as the hydrogen readiness levels at potential destination airports and airlines' commercial considerations would also be important to realise the eventual hydrogen-powered flights between Changi Airport and other airports in the region.
John Panikar, EVP and CEO APAC, Linde, stated that hydrogen shows promise in reducing aircraft emissions and decarbonizing airside ground activities. Sabine Klauke, Chief Technology Officer of Airbus, stated that stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region are making significant investments into hydrogen, developing new technologies, and establishing supply chains.
The committee has been examining the regional and local market demand and supply for hydrogen, the hydrogen supply chain and infrastructure requirements, and the potential considerations for establishing a successful hydrogen ecosystem for aviation in Singapore. CAAS has shared some of the key findings from the study with relevant government agencies for longer-term national planning for demand of hydrogen and will continue to monitor signposts around the development of hydrogen technology for aircraft operations.
Hydrogen has a key role to play in the global clean energy transition, according to John Panikar. Ms. Poh Li San, Senior Vice President, Terminal 5 Specialised Systems, Changi Airport Group, stated that a phased approach should be taken as air hubs study how best to support the use of hydrogen by aircraft. Linde, with over 100 years of experience with hydrogen, looks forward to leveraging their capabilities to further develop the promise of hydrogen in aviation.
The committee is also monitoring the development of Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) for logistics, storage, onsite distribution, and refueling of liquid hydrogen in an airport environment. As the SHCC continues its work, the future of hydrogen-powered aviation in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region looks increasingly promising.
- The Singapore Hydrogen Cooperation Committee (SHCC) is not only focusing on developing a hydrogen-powered aviation industry, but also examining the regional and local market demand for hydrogen, with a view to establishing a successful hydrogen ecosystem for aviation in Singapore.
- The SHCC is investigating the feasibility of integrating liquid hydrogen into aviation, and has identified infrastructure scenarios that could support the progressive deployment of a large-scale supply of liquid hydrogen for aviation at Changi Airport in the longer term future.
- In the broader context of decarbonizing aviation, the committee's efforts reflect a significant investment by stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region into hydrogen, developing new technologies, and establishing supply chains, as highlighted by Sabine Klauke, Chief Technology Officer of Airbus.
