Project Summary

Our project is aimed at building a predictive digital twin model for the end to end infrastructure needed to generate 100% clean net zero hydrogen supply for airports (aimed at 2035-2050 net zero goals). PXL ICE will be rapidly building an initial release of an intelligent 3D tool that looks at different energy generation, storage, logistics, efficiency / loss, and RoI for a given airport demand. The aim of this model is to assist with planning of infrastructure, de-risking capital investment and looking at worst case what if scenarios.

Project Achievements

Next Steps PXL ICE has successfully integrated different simulations and back end data sources for weather and GIS information into a single backend platform. The key technology developed includes the development and iteration of our own Discrete Event simulation library, source code reflection (and code generation) system. We have successfully setup a GIS database / server and integrated this into our software, as well as weather data, allowing us to successfully cover the entirety of the UK for data coverage. We have also begun work on the first iteration of user interface which will allow us to begin alpha testing.

Conclusions

With the aid and support of the Connected Places Catapult, PXL ICE has been able to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of a hydrogen infrastructure planning tool for airport decarbonisation. By combining and integrating our own proprietary digital twin technology with Unreal Engine, GIS & Weather sources and our custom simulation capabilities, we have been able to develop a first stage tool that can be used to plan the infrastructure needed to achieve 2050 net zero goals. The project has enabled us to also connect and work with other liquid hydrogen industry stakeholders to identify gaps in capability and steer plans for future work.

Next Steps

of our back-end capability – but we intend to continue developing and refining our source code capability and functionality into the future. With some of our simulation capability goals planed for the next six months, PXL ICE is planning on releasing its entire digital twin source code under an open access licence as an SDK; free for non-commercialised uses with a small royalty fee for commercial use. As part of our TRIG23 project (ANZHIT) we have been able to develop some front end user interface as well as a virtual reality demonstrator. PXL ICE will continue to refine and develop its desktop application version into something more suitable for public release and use. PXL ICE aims to release this within the next 6-8 months.