Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has become the first airport worldwide to conduct live tests with a hydrogen-powered ground power unit (GPU)
The H2-GPU is being used to supply KLM Cityhopper aircraft on the apron with electricity, which is used for lighting and power in the cockpit. This world first is part of the TULIPS partnership initiated by Schiphol and co-funded by the European Commission.

Together with ground handling companies and the aviation sector, Schiphol is working towards an emission-free operation. Some stationary aircraft at the gates are already receiving power from e-GPUs (electrical ground power units).

While e-GPUs have to be taken to special charging points to be charged, the new H2-GPU can be refuelled on site by a tanker, which saves significant time, Schiphol said. In addition, the e-GPUs sometimes have insufficient capacity, meaning diesel GPUs remain necessary. In addition to the switch to the cleaner HVO100 diesel the airport will continue to look for an emission-free solution for aircraft, such as the hydrogen GPU.