| US Airlines have signed an unprecedented agreement | | | | Electric GSE vehicles are 90% cleaner and 75% less |
| to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons per year of | | | | expensive to operate. |
| renewable synthetic diesel fuel for use in ground | | | | The retrofitting option from diesel to electric means |
| service equipment at Los Angeles International | | | | maintenance, repairs and equipment downtime are |
| Airport (LAX) beginning in late 2012. This is a sign of | | | | minimized, because electric motor technology is more |
| the times. | | | | efficient and produces less wear and tear. There is |
| Over time, to further reduce greenhouse gas | | | | less heat and vibration generated and fewer |
| emissions and improve local air quality through the | | | | moveable parts. Zero emissions creates measurable |
| use of greener fuels, is an ongoing commitment. The | | | | air quality improvements. There will be a set-up cost |
| fuel will be produced primarily from urban wood green | | | | with power lines for charging stations, traffic routing |
| waste such as clippings. The fuel is expected to have | | | | to and from chargers, the removal of airport fuel |
| a low carbon footprint and minimal particulate and | | | | tanks that have been superceded. Rapid-charge |
| other emissions while meeting fuel standards. | | | | power stations need to be positioned so equipment |
| Synthetic jet fuel was recently approved for | | | | operators can conveniently plug in whenever the |
| commercial airline use. | | | | vehicle is not in use. |
| GSE design | | | | The switchover to electric GSE is underway. Starting |
| As the industry closes in on compliance deadlines for | | | | the switch to electric technology for GSE |
| a variety of rules and regulations, how can we | | | | demonstrates an airport's commitment to a cleaner |
| comply with rules while not impeding operational | | | | environment. It's good public relations and good |
| demands? Ground support equipment design will play | | | | business, too. |
| a key role where new equipment is concerned. | | | | De Deicing/Anti-icing Equipment |
| However, the major contributors of emissions in GSE | | | | Aircraft entering today's fleets are 70% more fuel |
| are older units and larger heavier equipment, such as | | | | efficient than they were 40 years ago, and the |
| pushback tractors, container loaders, ground power | | | | industry also boasts much higher occupancy rates |
| units gpus, air conditioners, cargo loading ramps, | | | | than other methods of transport, with figures in |
| catering vehicles, etc. There have been examples of | | | | excess of 75% compared to 40-50% for trains and |
| conversion of some of these types to electric. But | | | | 30% for cars. Add to this the fact that over the last |
| also newer, cleaner burning gas and diesel engines | | | | 40 years hydrocarbon emissions from aviation have |
| could comply. | | | | been reduced by 90%, and also, 15% of aircraft and |
| Conversion in the short-term puts a burden on the | | | | engine manufacturers' turnover is devoted to |
| OEMs. There is not sufficient time. Electrification of | | | | research, and you could be forgiven for thinking we |
| ground support vehicles and equipment is part of a | | | | are making progress. |
| global effort toward cleaner airports. It is estimated | | | | The European Union's commitment to cutting its |
| that of the thousands of units currently in use in the | | | | emissions by 8% from the 1990 levels by 2012 under |
| United States, a mere 10% are electric; but the | | | | the Kyoto protocol, will require that chemical deicing |
| opportunities to go electric are everywhere. From | | | | with glycols, for example, improve its green |
| tugs, tractors, baggage handlers, cargo loaders, | | | | credentials. |
| belt-loaders, personnel carriers to mobile stairways, | | | | In summary, there are plenty of opportunities for |
| ground power units and free-standing generators, all | | | | enterprise in the field of ground support equipment |
| ground support equipment and infrastructure will | | | | design. |
| ultimately be involved in the changeover. | | | | |