Towards net zero airports: Electrification of ground services

Abstract

This paper investigates the economic and environmental impacts of transitioning ground service equipment (GSE) from diesel-powered to electric-powered alternatives. By modelling aircraft turnaround processes for three different aircraft types, the driving and operating times of GSE are analysed. This analysis forms the basis for comparing the variable and total cost of diesel versus electric GSE, demonstrating that electric GSE offers significant cost advantages over its diesel counterparts, including reductions of 70 per cent in variable costs and approximately 35 per cent in total costs. Additionally, the study quantifies the environmental benefits in the context of the European Union (EU) Emission Trading System, noting that diesel GSE incurs approximately 4 per cent higher costs due to emissions. To further enhance both the economic and environmental outcomes, two improvement measures are proposed: adopting local green energy generation and implementing electric GSE designed for full-day operation. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a comprehensive approach that transforms the airport‘s electric system into a local grid with integrated local energy generation, storage and smart charging solutions, paving the way for substantial progress toward net zero airports. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.