We connect with subject matter experts for a technical look at what will be needed to manage charging demands for new electric aircraft.

While there are many unknowns related to the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector to come, we do know that charging these aircraft are going to need a lot of electricity — even at the start of vertiport operation within the next two or three years.

Indeed, it’s expected that as the industry moves forward after introduction, electricity will be a major limiting factor in AAM scale-up in the U.S. and globally.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently analyzed this issue for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and released results of its study in March. The team surveyed aircraft manufacturers, spoke to stakeholders at planned vertiport sites, analyzed probable air service routes, and — using several publicly-available NREL tools — evaluated charging demand, costs, emissions, hazards, regulations and technical requirements for electrified vertiport infrastructure.

It’s no surprise they found that potential eVTOL charging demand could “considerably” impact grid infrastructure and operation. But there are solutions in their report as well.

Aircraft refueler provider Rampmaster has delivered the first fully electrified 5,000-gallon jet tanker in the U.S. to Signature Aviation at Eagle County Regional Airport (KEGE) in Vail, Colorado. Last year, a converted refueler went into service at France’s Toulon Hyères Airport (LFTH).

Rampmaster manufactures its equipment with a modular design, and its E-lectric Vehicle Refueler replaces the truck’s standard diesel engine with an electric motor. The aircraft refueler features a Lithium battery-powered hydraulic pump. With a full DC charge in less than two hours, the system—which provides an optimum battery operating temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit—supports eight hours of continuous pumping.

Signature is the world’s largest FBO chain, and its KEGE facility was its first to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in 2022. Among the factors allowing that was the adoption of solar power, the initiation of a continuous sustainable aviation fuel supply chain to the location, and fleet and facility upgrades that established a 15 percent decrease in fossil fuel emissions.

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Airports are essential to the local, regional and global economy; however, air transport is one of the largest contributors to global climate change. In order to retain their licence to operate and prepare for the future growth of the industry, which must be done sustainably, airports and the wider industry must transition to sustainable business practices and to cleaner energy sources.

Airports themselves can move from being passenger and aircraft hubs, to energy hubs and be able to generate and store clean energy for their own needs and maybe eventually that of their surrounding communities. The energy needs of the air transport industry will transform in the years ahead and will range from hydrogen and EV charging stations, to sustainable aviation fuels. By integrating solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy sources, airports will be able to reduce their carbon footprints and move towards net zero. Surplus energy can be stored in battery systems and used during peak hours and emergencies to ensure that the air transport system is never out of action.

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WSP’s National Aviation Market Leader Indhira Figuereo joins the Women in STEM podcast to discuss her career, what’s driving airport transformation and the industry’s sustainable future.

As airports adapt to meet the growing demand for air travel, they are also embracing sustainable practices. This podcast highlights the pivotal role that airports play in global connectivity and why it’s such a remarkable field for anyone with interests in STEM-related pursuits.

In her conversation with podcast host Kelly Shungu, Figuereo emphasizes the industry’s commitment to being part of a sustainable future, from developing renewable and efficient energy sources to integrating green approaches construction and reducing waste. She looks to the future of airports and their ongoing evolution to meet changing customer needs, airline expectations and community roles. She also explains the inspiration behind her career’s take off into aviation and shares advice for women embarking on their careers about how to gain altitude in any industry.

Eve Air Mobility and Groupe ADP (Aéroport de Paris) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) centered on innovation and sustainable development. This agreement is designed to prepare for the future of low-carbon aviation at Paris-Le Bourget Airport, enhancing Embraer’s operations at Europe’s leading business aviation airport.

The MoU includes initiatives to expand Embraer’s aircraft maintenance capabilities in anticipation of the new Energia family, and to facilitate the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations using eVTOL aircraft.

Through this partnership, Paris-Le Bourget is reinforcing its position as a hub for innovative and eco-friendly aviation.

As part of the agreement, Embraer Services & Support plans to relocate and expand its existing facilities into a new, more efficient maintenance building that meets high standards for low-carbon construction and energy self-sufficiency, effectively doubling its capacity.

Eve will collaborate with Groupe ADP to create the appropriate infrastructure for eVTOL operations, which includes training, maintenance, ground handling services, and potentially coordinating demonstration flights for public-private ventures.

Moreover, Groupe ADP will lend its expertise to support the operation of the Energia family of aircraft at Paris-Le Bourget, including exploring hydrogen infrastructure options. The Energia program was recently updated to include two new concept aircraft models with 19 and 30 seats, featuring hybrid-electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems.

The Port of Seattle recently recognized Delta through its Sustainable Century Awards program as having the highest percentage of fuel-efficient aircraft in use at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in 2023.

Delta’s commitment to sustainability is more than a statement – it’s a long-term path to secure a more sustainable future for travel.

This commitment has been on full display in Delta’s Seattle hub, with the Port of Seattle recently recognizing Delta through its Sustainable Century Awards program as having the highest percentage of fuel-efficient aircraft in use at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in 2023.

The Sustainable Century Awards recognize the Port of Seattle’s customers and partners for a “demonstrated commitment to exceptional sustainability and equity leadership in operations and/or involvement with the Port and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.”

“The Port of Seattle is known for setting ambitious environmental goals for all Port operations and collaborating closely with nearby communities on aviation noise. We know that, while we are a national leader in many of these respects, we still have work to do to reduce our impacts and be the best neighbor possible,” said Port of …

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) system manufacturer ESS Tech has completed the commissioning on the initial system installed to electrify ground operations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.

The ESS Energy Warehouse system will enable Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to phase out polluting diesel ground power units that currently supply electrical power to aircraft while parked at airport gates. These will be replaced with electric ground power units (E-GPUs). The electrification of ground operations will reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, providing a model for airports worldwide seeking to reduce the climate impacts of air transportation.

The project at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will support the Royal Schiphol Group’s ambitious climate targets and is supported by the TULIPS consortium, an EU-funded consortium of airports across Europe seeking to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy within Europe’s aviation sector.

Putting an airport on a harbour means protection measures have to be taken.

Plans for Auckland Airport to invest in world-leading technology to improve environmental impacts on the Manukau have met with Manukau Harbour Forum approval.

The airport has learnt from Cyclone Gabrielle flooding and sustainability manager Ellie Callard recently addressed the forum to outline some of the steps it has taken to reduce the impact of future extreme events.

Harbour Forum chair Jon Turner says it’s fantastic to see the airport stepping up.

“What’s welcome is hearing Auckland Airport wants to take more responsibility for the environment. It remains committed to sustainability, where it already has a record of progress in emissions reductions, energy savings and waste management. The Manukau needs all the help it can get.”

The European Union has awarded EUR 424 million to 42 sustainable transport projects including one in Bulgaria, two in Slovenia, and one in Greece. The three countries are the only EU funding beneficiaries in the region tracked by Balkan Green Energy News.
Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Greece were selected under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), an EU funding program supporting transport infrastructure.

The grants for the rollout of alternative fuels supply infrastructure are coupled with the participation of major financial institutions to achieve a higher impact of the EU’s money, the European Commission said.

With the new selection, AFIF will support the installation of 4,200 electric recharging points along the European TEN-T road network, 48 hydrogen refueling stations for cars, trucks and buses and the electrification of ground handling services in 21 airports.

A grant was awarded for the decarbonization of ground operations at Sofia’s airport

EUR 930,000 was awarded for the Electrification of Sofia Airport Ground Operations. SOF Connect AD coordinates the project.

It will support the decarbonization of ground operations at Sofia’s airport with the deployment of three mobile electrical ground power equipment, three ground power units, one heater for aircraft cabins, 22 charging stations for ground handling vehicles including the electrical infrastructure for the charging stations and the related software.

Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport has become the first airport in Latin America and the Caribbean to receive Level 4+ ‘Transition’ certification in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.

Driven on by operator Corporación Quiport’s commitment to being a good neighbour, the Ecuadorian gateway has been part of the programe since 2015.

All airports achieving Level 4 Transformation status have shown that they can not only achieve carbon neutrality but have also implemented innovative and strategic measures to further reduce their carbon footprint and promote long-term sustainable practices.