Although air traffic corresponds to only around 2% of all global CO2 emissions, media and the average man experience this industry as one of the worst polluters. But both airlines and airports are working hard to decarbonise their technology. One example is a cooperation between ESS Tech Inc, the Oregon-based long-duration energy storage (LDES) company, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with the aim to reduce emissions from ground operations.
The ESS system will enable Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to phase out polluting diesel ground power units that currently supply electrical power to aircraft while parked. These will be replaced with electric ground power units (E-GPUs) with batteries from ESS.
The project is supported by TULIPS, a consortium of airports across Europe, funded with €25 million by the EU, seeking to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy within Europe’s aviation sector. The consortium aims to speed up the roll-out of sustainable technologies in aviation and significantly contribute towards the zero emissions and zero waste airports by 2030 and climate-neutral aviation by 2050. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will be the proving ground for 17 demonstrator projects that result from the collaboration.
ESS Tech has now completed commissioning of the first iron-flow battery based LDES system at Schiphol. ESS said that their iron flow chemistry delivers 25 years or more with no capacity fade or degradation.
“Schiphol intends to be a zero-emission airport by 2030 across our buildings, assets and equipment,” said Oscar Maan, Royal Schiphol Group manager of innovation. “Cutting edge, clean technology such as ESS’ iron flow battery system enables us to decarbonize ground operations.”
“Amsterdam Airport has set an ambitious goal for decarbonization and has provided great leadership in taking the necessary actions to make it real,” said Eric Dresselhuys, CEO of ESS. “This project provides a blueprint for LDES to safely provide clean, reliable energy in airport operations and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
TULIPS is short for DemonsTrating lower pollUting soLutions for sustaInable airPorts acrosS Europe.
