New study on the transition phase of LH2 supply infrastructure for H2-powered aviation

Decarbonizing aviation with liquid hydrogen (LH2) requires not only a long-term vision for a target year – but also a realistic transition pathway for the necessary infrastructure. In this paper, we used a multi-period optimization model to evaluate the infrastructure requirements for a generic airport at different locations and varying import distances. This study provides insights and a methodology that can support the development of future liquid hydrogen infrastructure roadmaps for H2-powered aviation.

Here are some of the main findings:

• Previous single-year assessments significantly underestimate LH2 supply costs.
• Flexible hybrid supply chains (on-site production + imports) can reduce costs, especially at locations with limited renewable energy potential and/or space limitations.
• Location-specific factors such as the distance to the European Hydrogen Backbone or to the nearest port are critical for determining the optimal supply route.

Open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126663