Hydrogen Liquefaction Plant

£15m needed – University of Nottingham

Liquid hydrogen is the most viable fuel to power large aircraft for zero-emission flights. Harnessing this ‘rocket fuel’ means we can:

• Accelerate zero-emission flight by 5-10 years compared to current policy and targets.
• Access the global market for liquid hydrogen (anticipated to be £14bn annually in the UK alone). Every 1% efficiency improvement of liquefaction would save c. $900m annually in the UK and $22bn globally.

The University of Nottingham has one of the largest research groups for low-carbon propulsion globally, with a hydrogen-related funding portfolio exceeding £50m. Backed by private, government and philanthropic investment, it is accelerating zero-carbon research and infrastructure to decarbonise heavy industries. A philanthropic donation of £15m enables a new research-based hydrogen liquefaction plant i.e. to cool down hydrogen to extremely low temperatures where it becomes a high-energy density liquid.

Key facts

• The most viable fuel to power large aircraft for zero-emission flight
• Accelerate zero-emission flight by 5-10 years
• University of Nottingham has one of the largest global research groups for low carbon propulsion