When ITW GSE conducted a 120-day pilot at John F. Kennedy International Airport's Terminal 4 (JFKIAT) for its battery-driven electric ground power units (eGPUs), it allowed international carriers like Singapore Airlines and Emirates to use ITW’s Mark II 180 kVA unit.
Since then, officials at ITW GSE say the eGPU has gained wider adoption across America, including at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) where United Airlines is using the unit to power a Boeing 777-200.
As the largest terminal at JFK Airport was undergoing expansion, JFKIAT wanted to promote a sustainable environment which included the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By incorporating zero-emission ground support equipment, airport officials could achieve their goal and have an alternative to diesel powered GPUs thus reducing the use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.
“We are helping airports obtain their airport carbon accreditation, which is the only institutionally endorsed, carbon management certification standard for airports,” says Alberto Rocha, sales director, Americas, at ITW GSE. “All these efforts are paving the way for airports in north America to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.”
According to ITW GSE officials, the 180 kVA unit reduces CO2 and NOx; requires almost no maintenance; reduces noise pollution to improve the working environment; is not dependent on fossil fuel; and provide flexibility as it can easily be used indoors in hangars or maintenance facilities as well as outdoors wherever it is needed.
While ITW GSE’s 28 VDC and 90 kVA units helped pave the way for the introduction of the Mark II 180 kVA unit, challenges still existed around acceptance and the cultural change of using an eGPU that does not need fuel. But ITW officials say they worked with customers to inform industry members and train them about the technology.
“The unknown can be scary, and people tend to let others take the leap first because it is safer. Therefore, it is part of our job as innovators to educate and prove those fears to be untrue. This is what we did with the eGPU,” Rocha says.
Infrastructure was also a barrier for adoption as many airports do not have enough charging points for eGSE. However, in last year or two positive change has begun to happen, and airports are installing more chargers for ground support equipment, according to ITW GSE officials.
With a complete family of battery-driven eGPUs, the product line covers all aircraft needs. However, officials at ITW GSE say they will continue to supply the aviation industry with clean, reliable and cost efficient GSE systems.
