This is how the green kerosene factory works: Green electricity comes to the substation. With it, hydrogen is generated in the electrolysis, a synthesis gas from wood chips and oxygen. With the hydrogen, it becomes aviation kerosene. Tank wagons transport it away Photo: H2Gen
By Michael Sauerbier
Away from coal, oil and gas – towards hydrogen. Also in aviation. From 2024, the largest factory to date for the climate-friendly propellant is to be built in Brandenburg. She turns it into “green” aviation kerosene. Because this is urgently needed.
Air traffic is still one of the biggest climate killers. This is about to change soon. With hydrogen. Small aircraft can use it to generate electricity for electric motors in a fuel cell. The hydrogen tanks would be too big for large jets. They need green kerosene, which is not made from oil as it is now. The demand is huge, as the ILA Air Show has shown.
The first large factory for “green kerosene” is to be built on the former Cottbus-Drewitz airfield. Now it is called “Green Area Lausitz” (GRAL). There, the Wiesbaden-based company “Hy2Gen” wants to invest 500 million euros in a factory for hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel. Using wind, solar and biogas power, the plant first splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. A high-temperature gasifier turns biomass (wood chips) and oxygen into a synthesis gas. This becomes liquid fuel with the hydrogen in the “Fischer-Tropsch process”. Perfect for regular aircraft tanks and nozzles.
Construction of the factory is scheduled to begin in 2024, and production with 300 jobs three years later. A railway connection to the former Jänschwalde airfield is being built for transporting kerosene. But first, a feasibility study examines the opportunities and benefits.
Brandenburg’s Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (66, SPD) is still cautious, says: “The realization of such an innovative project can provide important impetus for structural development in Lusatia.”
Jänschwalde’s citizenMaster Helmut Badtke (73) is angry: “Minister Steinbach has never been here. some things would go faster if the interest of state government would be bigger!”