"The trial will help us assess the viability of hydrogen for charging and give us a good insight into the operational challenges and opportunities," Clarke said.
Four New Zealand businesses have come together to trial using hydrogen in an aviation setting for the first time in the country from Monday to March 15.
Air New Zealand, Wellington Airport, Toyota New Zealand, and Hiringa Energy have joined forces to trial using hydrogen to charge Air New Zealand's electric tugs and service vehicles over the next few weeks at Wellington Airport.
Air New Zealand wants to pioneer the commercial deployment of green hydrogen-powered aircraft in New Zealand, said its Senior Sustainability Manager Jacob Snelgrove.
"Green hydrogen is starting to be used around the world as a low-emission fuel for buses, trucks, trains, and boats. Aircraft are the logical next step and successful test flights are already underway overseas," Snelgrove said.
The biggest challenge here in New Zealand is setting up the supply, transport, and infrastructure to support fuelling the aircraft, he said, adding the trial is an important first step to enable the development of that system.
The trial will be conducted using a hydrogen fuel cell which uses hydrogen to generate electricity.
Andrew Clennett, chief executive officer of Hiringa Energy, a New Zealand-based clean energy company, said green hydrogen has a significant role to play in decarbonizing New Zealand.
The program is helping everyone to better understand the benefits of introducing hydrogen to airport operations as they prepare for hydrogen-powered aircraft in the future, Clennett said.
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