Optimizing the Use of Electric Preconditioned Air (PCA) and Ground Power Systems for Airports (2019)

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

1 The principal objective of ACRP Project 02-76 is “to provide guidance in identify- ing and understanding factors that contribute to the use or non-use of gate electrifica- tion systems (electric preconditioned air and electric ground power systems) and ways that airports and airlines can optimize the use of the systems” (ACRP Project 02-76 Request for Proposal). The objective was achieved through engagement with a range of stakeholders, including airport staff from environmental, operational, maintenance, and finance departments; airline staff; airline pilots; and preconditioned air (PCA) and ground power equipment manufacturers and service providers. The airports inter- viewed and surveyed for this project represent a range of sizes, geographic locations, and climate zones. This report is based on information gathered from stakeholders through in-person focus groups, case study interviews, and online survey instruments, supplemented by the literature review. The research considered the impact of weather and climate on utiliza- tion, as well as common utilization tracking practices, airport and airline policies with regard to utilization, best practices for maintaining system availability, and motivating factors affecting the acquisition of systems. This report was developed for all stakeholders involved in the acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, and utilization of electric PCA and ground power systems. The contents of the report are organized into six chapters: 1. Introduction—This chapter provides background information and establishes the need for the research project, as well as the research approach. 2. Ground Power and Air Conditioning Systems—This chapter provides an overview of commercial aircraft power needs, gate electrification equipment, and systems. 3. Challenges Affecting Gate Electrification System Utilization—The most common chal- lenges to gate electrification system utilization are described in this chapter, which also includes a description of the Self-Assessment Checklist. The checklist is intended to assist stakeholders in identifying challenges to utilization at their specific locations. 4. Solutions to Address Utilization Challenges—Proposed solutions to address common challenges are described in this chapter. 5. Utilization Tracking Methodology—This chapter describes a basic example of utiliza- tion tracking methodology designed for airports to deploy without significant resource investment. 6. Airport Case Studies—Fifteen case studies from airports across the U.S. (and one in Europe) are included to provide readers with an understanding of various types and configurations of gate electrification systems, ownership and maintenance models, and best practices for ensuring system reliability. S U M M A R Y Optimizing the Use of Electric Preconditioned Air (PCA) and Ground Power Systems at Airports

2 Optimizing the Use of Electric Preconditioned Air (PCA) and Ground Power Systems at Airports The report also contains additional information in the appendices, including a summary of responses to the airport and pilot surveys. The Airport Self-Assessment Checklist and example Utilization Tracking Methodology are provided as separate Excel files for download.