The cost of producing hydrogen has been cut by 20% thanks to an AI programme developed by aviation start-up ZeroAvia.

The firm, which is developing hydrogen-fuelled aircraft, said that real-world testing of its Smart Hydrogen AI Production Software (SHAIPS) can achieve the reduction in the cost of green hydrogen production compared to an electrolyser that generates based on the average electricity wholesale price.

Green hydrogen, as opposed to blue hydrogen, is produced through electrolysis using a highly energy-intensive process from renewable sources such as wind, solar or hydropower. It results in minimal carbon emissions, making it sustainable and environmentally friendly. However, it is currently more expensive due to high costs associated with renewable energy and electrolysis technology.

In contrast, blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming or autothermal reforming, but does not offer as many potential carbon-reduction benefits.

In order to test the...