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\t\t\t\t\t\t21\/12\/2023<\/span> The start of a more sustainable production facility to create hydrogen fuel for Ariane 6 \u2013 Europe\u2019s new heavy-lift rocket\u00a0\u2013 is underway.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Ariane 6 uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as fuel for its main and upper stages. Hydrogen in its gaseous form (H2) is rarely found on Earth, and so is currently produced in\u00a0French\u00a0Guiana from steam reforming of methanol (CH3OH).<\/p>\n Other processes are far\u00a0more\u00a0sustainable\u00a0and so ESA and France\u2019s space agency CNES wish to switch to\u00a0solar-powered electrolysis\u00a0of water which can\u00a0reduce by\u00a0five the amount of carbon dioxide\u00a0emitted for\u00a0hydrogen production.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ESA and CNES are determined to reduce the footprint of rocket launches and ground operations at Europe\u2019s Spaceport in French Guiana, and are aiming to deliver\u00a0low-carbon hydrogen generated by solar-powered electrolysis of water\u00a0by 2026. \u00a0<\/p>\n Project Hyguane \u2013 a portmanteau\u00a0of the French words for hydrogen, French Guiana and the local Iguanas \u2013 is a \u20ac40.5M investment in a solar farm and distribution systems and is being designed to be allowed to easily expand in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Hyguane facility could save over 3000 tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions a year when operational,\u00a0while supplying up to 12% of Ariane 6 needs based on nine launches per year.<\/p>\n The project does not stop at the space sector, by supplying hydrogen fuel cells it will allow low-carbon vehicles and hydrogen electricity generators to operate in French Guiana. The project will ease the transition to hydrogen vehicles and demonstrate that fuel cells can replace diesel-engine generators.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A hydrogen refuelling station designed and operated by SARA and a Hydrogen Competence Centre operated by MT-Aerospace are key factors in developing low-carbon transport in French Guiana as they allow for vehicle fuelling and maintenance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The project is a large contribution to CNES and ESA\u2019s sustainability efforts to make 90% of Europe\u2019s Spaceport run on renewable energy by 2030.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Teddy Peponnet, head of the project for ESA, said \u201cthis novel facility will be a shining example of carbon-free production of hydrogen when it opens and we aim to set an example for a more sustainable future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n After three years of studies, the project started on 13 December with the signing\u00a0of the consortium agreement between the parties involved:\u00a0four companies \u2013 Air Liquide, SARA, MT-Aerospace and BEBLUE;\u00a0three universities\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Universit\u00e9 de Guyane, Universit\u00e9 de Li\u00e8ge, Universit\u00e9 Libre de Bruxelles and two institutions\u00a0\u2013\u00a0ESA and CNES.\u00a0ADEME, the french agency in charge of ecology transition is as well part of the project, is financially supporting Hyguane with \u20ac10M.<\/p>\n Planned for completion in 2026, the project could be extended to double the production of hydrogen and supply additional hydrogen vehicles (such as coaches, buses, and trucks) and hydrogen electricity generators.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teddy Peponnet adds \u201cGreen hydrogen is ready to fly! The technical revolution is on its way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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