Preparing Your Airport for Electric Aircraft and Hydrogen Technologies (2022)

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109   C H A P T E R   1 1 11.1 Introduction Electric aircraft have emerged as an integral component of the broader electrification of trans- portation and mobility networks. Electric mobility has been heralded as a step toward reaching climate goals and improving air quality. While the electric mobility movement has been welcomed by many stakeholders in the transportation sphere, indicated by a multitude of innovations in the space, it has yet to be integrated into the broader city planning process and policy framework. Electric aircraft stakeholders stand to benefit from the achievements and lessons learned by early and parallel adopters of electric mobility, such as electric vehicles. The consideration of electric aircraft in airport planning decisions will pinpoint additional opportunities for airports to integrate energy and resiliency improvements. Recent investments in airport systems, such as microgrids and distributed generation, have brought airports closer to the infrastructure required to power electric aircraft. Airport Electricity Needs Airport’s electricity needs are measured by demand and consumption. Large-hub airports typically demand 40 to 50 MW for daytime operations and 35 to 36 MW per day for evening operations. Airport electricity use tends to be relatively consistent between daytime and evening operations due to much of an airport’s nonessential electrical equipment remaining powered on at night. Smart-charge management systems, which shift charging needs to nighttime where possible, seek to address this. With the advent of electric aircraft, airports will face additional demand for electricity consumption to allow for charging. Airports have a limited electrical capacity, and while their large capital plans offer opportunities for sizable investments, it can be cost-prohibitive to upgrade electrical systems. Airports can augment their electrical capacity and revenue streams by installing or retrofitting assets to generate electricity. Electric-vehicle charging stations for public parking, TNC vehicles, and airport fleets are ideal opportunities to generate new revenue on airport grounds. 11.2 Load Growth and Sustainability Airport electric loads generally increase with size of buildings on the airport campus. There is also some increased energy use per each person who passes through the terminals. One of the key metrics for airport sustainability is reducing the total energy used per enplanement per year, allowing for growth of enplanements and also airport facility size, without reducing the harm from energy use, which includes both pollution and cost of purchasing energy. SFO has done a Airport Electric Demand

110 Preparing Your Airport for Electric Aircraft and Hydrogen Technologies good job at reducing the energy intensity of serving each customer, as shown in its self-published data (Figure 53). However, the advent of electric aircraft and other electric loads as discussed in this report will strain airport electric distribution systems and lead to increasing electric loads. Despite the flat/decreasing loads of the last decade, electric utilities are preparing for growth again, due to a number of factors, including the response to climate change. Several high-profile studies over the past year have shown that in significant portions of the United States, GHG emis- sions can be eliminated through a strategy known colloquially as “electrify everything.” This is because electric systems tend to be more efficient than combustion/mechanical systems, and the electric grid is becoming cleaner every year. Therefore, utilities are planning for growth in electric loads from electric cars, heat pumps for heating and cooling, and batteries replacing diesel generators. Within airports, this means that GSE fleets are going electric, and electric aircraft are emerging as a clean alternative, along with other transportation options. Even cooking devices within airport restaurants may eventually switch over to electric options. Figure 53. Historical energy consumption and generation at SFO (SFIA = San Francisco International Airport, PAX = passengers). Airport Assessment Tool As part of ACRP Project 03-51, an Assessment Tool was developed for planning purposes to help airport practitioners estimate the electric growth caused by the electric aircraft activity. As part of this tool, the following assumptions were made concerning loads that will convert from fossil fuels to electricity over the next 20 years: • Heating systems will change to new air- or ground-source heat pumps, • eGSE will convert to battery electric, • Shuttle buses will convert to battery electric, • Rental cars will convert to battery electric, • Taxis and general public vehicles will convert to battery electric, and • Electric aircraft will be introduced into the market.

Airport Electric Demand 111   The potential load growth from this equipment may double airport peak electrical loads in the next 20 years. Electric aircraft could be as little as 10 percent of that growth, or could be up to 50 percent of that growth, depending on acceptance of electric aircraft. Airport managers, electric departments, and sustainability departments at airports must also plan for electric growth. Most large airports have their own medium-voltage electric distribution system on campus. This system acts quite similarly to a small distribution utility. Many airports also already own primary power generators, such as cogeneration plants or solar panels. Solar panels especially have exploded in popularity on rooftops because they are infinitely scalable—from the smallest buildings to the largest parking lots. 11.3 Case Study: JFK, Terminal 5, GSE Electrification The business case to electrify additional elements of airport operations is strong. Airports’ sizes dictate they must remain technology savvy, and their centrally operated structure estab- lishes an opportunity to make sizable investments in electric technology, with comparably sizable returns. Many airport components are positioned to benefit from electrification, especially GSE vehicles that service aircraft, such as baggage tractors, aircraft tugs, forklifts, and belt loaders. GSEs—which have a short range and rely on low-end torque—frequently need to start and stop, and are ideally situated for conversion to electric power. Electricity pricing is less volatile than petroleum, which will increase stability in airport financial planning if electrification increases industry-wide. Electric power is more efficient for hydraulic lifts, refrigeration, and pumps, and locating charging stations throughout the airport will eliminate “deadhead” refueling travel for GSE. Electric GSEs have been in use since 2001, and about 10 percent of all GSEs were electrified as of 2013. GSE electrification is a common recipient of federal grant funding, such as VALE, the AIP, and the mitigation trust fund for the Volkswagen CAA Settlement. Industry leaders have identified GSE as the “low hanging fruit” of electrification on airport grounds, and if proven to be successful and beneficial to the airport, may encourage airports to explore additional elements of their operation to electrify. Terminal 5 at JFK in New York City, home to JetBlue and its partner airlines, recently received a $4 million grant from the FAA’s VALE Program to support 38 GSE fast-charging stations. This grant will comprise 75 percent of funding for the conversion, and in tandem with an invest- ment from JetBlue and the New York Power Authority grant, will enable JetBlue to electrify all 118 of its baggage tractors and belt loaders, the largest component of its GSE fleet. The airline has been using electric GSE at Long Beach Airport in California and plans to convert a significant component of its GSE fleet at BOS. This grant receipt aligns with the ongoing Clean Dozen initiative run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFK’s operator. It is a comprehensive sustainability agenda that responds to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. For electrification, it promotes the conversion of airport shuttle buses, light-duty airport vehicles, and fast chargers for TNCs and authority vehicles. The agency continued its thought leadership in airport sustainability by hosting a symposium of industry stakeholders with United Airlines as a component of 2019’s Climate Week in New York City.