Sustainable power bank for aircraft
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol utilizes a locally developed super ‘power bank’ – running on solar power – as a sustainable way to supply power to aircraft.
When an aircraft has parked at a gate, its systems for lighting, ventilation, fridges and the computers in the cockpit need power. The conventional way is to get power from the auxiliary motor in the tail or to hook up with a Ground Power Unit or GPU.
Image by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Schiphol has developed the e-GPU, an extremely powerful portable Ground Power Unit that runs on electricity. The system is a world-first and has attracted international attention. The green energy-powered facilities offer a sustainable alternative to using the power from the auxiliary engine in the tail (running on kerosine) or the GPU (running on diesel).
At most gates at Schiphol, planes are offered power from Fixed Power Units at the gates. These provide aircraft with what is called shore power. Not all gates have a Fixed Power Unit yet. And if it is busy, not all planes can park at a gate and so they have to park elsewhere. There, the e-GPE is a very practical and environmentally-friendly solution.
