From grey to green

Key to the scheme is to replace “grey” hydrogen – produced by a widely used but CO2 emitter-intensive industrial process known as methanol steam reforming – with “green” hydrogen produced by water electrolysis from renewable energy. That renewable hydrogen, used to fuel rockets, will reduce CO2 emissions linked to the Ariane programme by several thousand tons per year.

HYGUANE will also contribute to the emergence of a hydrogen ecosystem to French Guiana, enabling the introduction of hydrogen-fuelled heavy transport of people and goods, as well as hydrogen fuel cells for energy storage. The partners recently signed a letter of interest for the project, opening the path to the realization of a plan that has been several years in the making. An innovative co-funding combines support from ESA, industrial partners and the France national recovery plan.

MT Aerospace responsible for future Hydrogen Competence Centre 

Also planned is the creation of a Hydrogen Competence Centre in French Guiana under MT-Aerospace responsibility, to develop specific know-how to maintain and operate these new systems and to help develop start-ups. 

"We have been a reliable partner at Guiana Space Center (CSG) in Kourou/French Guiana for 25 years now and responsible for ground support systems and launch preparations. We would like to contribute this very know-how just like our expertise with hydrogen mobility built up over decades to help shape a more sustainable future - socially, ecologically and economically", says Ulrich Scheib, President MT Aerospace Guyane with a staff of 70 and Board Member MT Aerospace AG. Further cooperation partners are AirLiquide, SARA, Be.Blue, the Université de Guyane and the Université de Liège.

ESA and CNES accelerate de-carbonization of rocket launches

Teddy Peponnet, ESA’s European Spaceport Infrastructure & Renewable Energy Project Manager, says: “Investment in renewable hydrogen production at the Spaceport will cut costs, reduce exposure to rising fossil fuel prices and take a load off French Guiana’s electricity grid. HYGUANE will put us well ahead of COP21 and European Green Deal emissions objectives.”

ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander says he was delighted to advance the HYGUANE project: “This is a good step for greening Europe's spaceport. The number of launches is growing rapidly, so now is the right time to invest. A green hydrogen system will support environmental sustainability, stabilise costs and protect Spaceport operations from energy supply disruption.”

“We’ll also be helping to establish an energy and mobility system that will benefit the citizens of French Guiana. CNES is proud to be a strong player of such journey”, adds Laurence Monnoyer-Smith, CNES Director of Sustainability Development & Performance.