Alexandria, VA - The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT), comprised of innovative airport leaders and aviation industry experts, has released one of the first industry reports on the state of airports’ energy transition. Supported by leading partners, this new publication takes the pulse of North American airport operators, ranging from major hubs to regional airports, and identifies options for them to meet operational and sustainability needs in a rapidly changing energy technology and policy landscape.
The results of this ACT survey center around central challenges airports face: power reliability and quality; growing energy needs; and decarbonization and electrification mandates. The results indicate that 100% of surveyed airports across North America expect power needs to grow, yet just 38% could confidently estimate how much electricity they will need, and only 8% had thorough insights into their real-time energy use.
“Airport energy needs are growing exponentially. The transition to electric fleets, both airside and landside, will place substantial strain on existing infrastructure if not planned properly,” noted Michael Christensen, P.E., C.M., Chief Operations & Maintenance Officer at Los Angeles World Airports. “This report emphasizes the need for airports, utilities, the private sector, and local governments to work together to invest in additional power sources that ensure our energy transition is successful and that our expansion and electrification needs are met.”
“We applaud the invaluable insights of our ACT study leaders and participants, who are at the forefront of shaping the energy future of our industry,” said Carter Morris, Executive Vice President, Services, at AAAE. “This report is not just a reflection of current trends, but a crucial guide for navigating the complex energy challenges that airports will face in the coming years. Its insights and recommendations are vital for ensuring a sustainable and efficient transition to new energy technologies.”
"This report is both an alarm bell and a strategic roadmap for airports. It reveals the urgency of the challenge and then shares best practices for solving it,” added Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure. “The report comes at a critical time for meeting growing energy demands and 2030 fleet electrification and decarbonization targets. To hit these targets, airports must build out energy infrastructure at unprecedented speed and scale. That planning must happen now if the infrastructure is to be ready by or before 2030.”
Beyond focusing solely on the challenges ahead, this publication includes examples airport decision-makers across North America have implemented to meet rising energy demands, and it shares concepts airport leaders have enacted to manage their energy transition. It explores step-by-step processes to assess how airports can meet future energy needs, and it emphasizes a call-to-action for the industry.
[Download the Publication]
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