Conceptualising airport-centric energy systems
Abstract
Airports face unprecedented energy-related challenges amid evolving technological, environmental and operational demands. The Airport-Centric Energy System (ACES) framework provides a novel approach to energy management by transforming airports from energy consumers into energy producers and regional energy hubs. This paper synthesises the conceptual foundation, technological components, implementation strategies and real-world case studies of ACES to provide a comprehensive roadmap for its adoption. ACES integrates renewable energy generation, energy storage, microgrids and district energy systems to enhance sustainability, resiliency and economic performance. The paper identifies key motivators for ACES adoption, including environmental pressures, financial advantages, operational resiliency and social considerations. The study presents a phased implementation model and highlights case studies from airports worldwide that demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of ACES. Barriers to implementation include capital costs, regulatory challenges and location-specific constraints, while opportunities lie in supporting net zero goals, strengthening community relations and diversifying revenue streams. The findings contribute to the emerging discourse on sustainable airport operations and offer practical guidance for airport stakeholders pursuing energy resilience and environmental leadership. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
David Ison Dr David Ison is a distinguished aviation expert and researcher with over three decades of experience in the aviation industry. He has held various roles in the field, including flight instructor, airline pilot, aviation professor and doctoral research faculty member. He holds a PhD in higher education leadership specialising in aviation higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is an Aviation Planner at the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division, where he leads emerging aviation technologies and airport land use compatibility initiatives. David has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and five books and has appeared in media such as CNN, NPR and Time Magazine. Previously, David served as a faculty member at Embry-Riddle, teaching aviation operations and research courses. His contributions to this paper draw from his extensive research into Airport-Centric Energy Systems, offering practical insights for airport stakeholders globally.
