Install centralized pre-conditioned air (PCA) and ground power systems (400 Hz) for gated aircraft.
Aircraft require electrical energy during ground time (400 hertz) and depending on climate conditions also pre-conditioned air (PCA for heating or cooling). Rather than using the auxiliary power unit (APU), aircraft ground energy systems (AGES) should be installed. The benefits include fuel savings, reduction of all emissions (criteria air pollutants), and less noise. Systems can be installed at hard stands (contact gates) and on open stands (remote gates). Electrical ground power could be provided by electric pits, electric mobile converters of cable reels that are bridge mounted.
Practice Information
| Capital Cost: | Low Cost ($5,000 – $100,000 US) |
| O&M Cost: | Moderate (>$50,000 – $100,000 US) |
| Payback Period: | Short (2 – 5 years) |
| Staffing Requirements: | Low (10 – 50 hours per month) |
| Reportability of Metrics: | Quantitative metric standard for airport industry |
| Maturity of Practice: | Proven at multiple airports |
| Energy Reduction: | Decreases energy consumption |
| Environmental Benefits: | Significant, multiple environmental benefits |
| Social Benefits: | Significant, multiple social benefits |
Airport Characteristics
Categories
Case Studies
Multiple Airports
Similar systems are in use at many other airports. Some of them may have only 400Hz systems (providing electrical energy only) and some may have both systems (electrical and pre-conditioned air) but with voluntary use. However, enforcing the use of the systems and setting restrictions on the use of an APU would yield the best results. Airports with fixed gate power/PCA include Nashville, Los Angeles World Airports, Hartsfield Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Hong Kong, Sydney, Copenhagen, and Hamburg, among many others.
2014
Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland
Zurich Airport has had electric ground power and pre-conditioned air available at contact gates since the 1980s. As of 2014, all contact gates are equipped with 400Hz and PCA and several open gates are equipped with electric 400Hz. These systems are regulated by airport operating regulations and through the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). Several studies have been done to assess the benefits of the system and reductions of up to 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year could be observed (270,000 annual aircraft movements). Similar systems are in use at many other airports. Some of them may have only 400Hz systems (providing electrical energy only) and some may have both systems (electrical and pre-conditioned air) but with voluntary use. However, enforcing the use of the systems and setting restrictions on the use of an APU would yield the best results. Airports with fixed gate power/PCA include Nashville, Los Angeles World Airports, Hartsfield Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Hong Kong, Sydney, Copenhagen, and Hamburg, among many others.
Related Links
Flughafen Zürich AG, Environment, “Aircraft Ground Energy Systems""
Documents
System Description Aircraft Ground Energy System Zurich Airport, Switzerland
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