UK's First 100% Hydrogen-Fueled Cogeneration Unit Launched

Recently, a new-type hydrogen internal combustion engine technology trial led by the European Marine Energy Centre Ltd. (EMEC) at Kirkwall Airport (KOI) on the Orkney Islands has been completed, marking the first time hydrogen has been used to meet the electricity and heat demands of a commercial airport in the UK. This project is the first 100% hydrogen-based combined heat and power (CHP) unit installed in the UK, providing an important practical example for decarbonizing airport infrastructure.

The trial was funded by the Scottish Government through Highlands and Islands Enterprise, supported by the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) and the Rural Energy Hub Project, and carried out with the backing of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. (HIAL), which manages and operates Kirkwall Airport (KOL), bringing together representatives from EMEC and 2G Energy to advance the initiative. The project was initially driven by EMEC through an energy consumption study under the ReFLEX Orkney project, which identified key opportunities for decarbonizing airport operations. Leonore Van Velzen, Operations and Maintenance Manager at EMEC, stated that Orkney has become a hub for energy innovation, where numerous new technologies and their roles in future clean energy systems are being demonstrated.

It is understood that the hydrogen CHP system, manufactured by 2G Energy, uses water vapor as a by-product and is located airside at Kirkwall Airport. It will subsequently be integrated with the airport's existing heating system to provide heat for the main terminal and power for the entire airport. The system generates electricity using green hydrogen supplied by EMEC while recovering by-product heat. During the trial, the project team collaborated with airport ground staff to initiate additional electrical load tests on the system, ensuring its stable output. While the CHP system operated at approximately 60% capacity, its performance and integration were monitored. The results showed that the system successfully powered the airport terminal and runway lighting, met heating demands, and replaced the airport's original boiler.