Airport of the future: a green energy power station

Airports have the potential of becoming green energy power stations, by utilizing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies on their own CO2 emissions. This is the outcome of a report compiled by researchers at Cranfield University in the UK.

The first-of-its-kind study focused on carbon emissions stemming from the operations at airports. Simpleflying.com reports that researchers have identified opportunities for airports to become green energy 'power stations' by utilizing the latest technologies. The CO2 harnessed through direct air carbon capture, rather than stored, could be used to fuel the planes operating out of the airport. Captured carbon could be used together with green hydrogen and renewable energy to produce what is known as Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels.

However, researchers warn, if such green airports are to become a reality, direct air carbon capture (DAC) technology will need to be developed at high pace, which would requires substantial funding.

The report was compiled for SITA. The researchers looked at emissions and other data from 2019 from London Luton Airport (LTN), Aberdeen Airport (ABZ), Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).