Develop, implement, and enforce a policy to minimize the use of auxiliary power units at gates where pre-conditioned air (PCA) and gate power are available.
Where gate power and pre-conditioned air (PCA) are available at aircraft parking locations, airport operators may minimize the use of auxiliary power units (APU) through development, implementation and enforcement of an airport policy. The installation of PCA and ground power will allow an aircraft to still provide cooling to passengers and the powering of on-board systems without the use of an APU. By minimizing APU use, the airline can reduce the combustion of jet fuel used to power the APU and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Close collaboration with the airlines is recommended for a successful program. Engagement of airlines in the development of a policy will assist in gaining buy-in and identifying potential obstacles. In addition, an airport may develop a process to enforce the policy, possibly through inspections or a self-certification process, and manage associated data to measure the success of the program. The implementation cost associated with this reduction measure is based on the cost to develop an APU minimization policy. Although it would be relatively inexpensive to develop such a policy, the actual installation of PCA and ground power that would be necessary to reduce APU usage could be substantial. There should be net cost savings from the reduction of APU use because less jet fuel will need to be purchased. Although purchased electricity will increase, the cost of purchased electricity is likely less than the cost of jet fuel than the cost to operate an APU. The cost burden may shift from the airline to the airport operator unless the airport operator has a cost-sharing agreement with the airline for purchased electricity.
Practice Information
| Capital Cost: | Low Cost ($5,000 – $100,000 US) |
| O&M Cost: | High (>$100,000 US) |
| Payback Period: | Immediate (0 – 2 years) |
| Staffing Requirements: | Moderate (50 – 200 hours per month) |
| Reportability of Metrics: | Quantitative metric with no baseline for comparison |
| Maturity of Practice: | Proven at multiple airports |
| Energy Reduction: | No effect on energy consumption |
| Environmental Benefits: | Moderate environmental benefit |
| Social Benefits: | Low social benefit |
Airport Characteristics
Categories
Case Studies
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Seattle, Washington
SEA worked with the FAA to secure a VALE grant and then worked with the airlines for the investment for the pre-conditioned air project. The airlines were not hard to convince due to the project’s short duration and quick financial payoff. The project’s overall cost was $43 million US, but the airlines will save $15 million US per year by using 5 million fewer gallons of jet fuel.
2006
Hamburg Airport (HAM), Hamburg, Germany
HAM uses an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), APU-Sheriff to enforce compliance with APU minimization. HAM has had an APU-Sheriff since 2006. The APU-Sheriff makes sure that the airlines use Ground Power Units (GPUs) instead of onboard APUs. This reduces the pollution on the apron for employees and airport neighbors, as well as noise. Approximately 90 percent of the aircraft at HAM use GPUs.
Related Links
Hamburg Airport, Environment: Noise, ""APU Sheriff”
Documents
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Comments
by Emanuel Fleuti on 5/4/2015 2:33:49 AM
The enforcement on the useage of alternative APU systems is key to achieve the environmental and social benefits and make the system economically viable. Enforcement practice may be included in airport operating manuals of AIP (Aeronautical Information Publications). Also check identical practice about fixed PCA and electric ground power in the database - Emanuel Fleuti, Zurich Airport
