Powering Demand: Planning for Electrification at Airports

A changing environment

Uncertainty around decarbonization and electrification targets is mounting, and America’s aviation industry is navigating moving goalposts as the electric vehicle (EV) industry matures and evolves.

Until recently, electrification was progressing in the United States, with California aiming to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045 and mandating all new cars and light trucks sold in the state to be electric by 2035. However, a waiver request that would enable the state to comply with federal Advanced Clean Trucks regulations was recently withdrawn. Furthermore, the federal government established a new policy that eliminated the possibility of such an EV mandate and called for the termination of emissions waivers statewide.

The future of electrification is now less certain in the U.S. The same is true globally, with the United Kingdom also reconsidering its EV targets, pushing the date for the ban of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035. That said, the need to study the demand for and impacts of electrification and alternative fuel usage remains.

As it stands, many airports across the U.S. are operating at the limit of their power capacity. According to the International Air Transport Association, global air passenger demand reached an all-time high of 9.5 billion in 2024, a 10.4% increase compared to 2023. It estimates demand could exceed 10 billion by 2050. When combined with advances in the development of electrical propulsion (battery or hybrid) for aircraft and a steady increase in the use and charging of EVs at airports, it becomes clear that the industry must upgrade their electric power capacity, quickly. Electrification of personal devices, personal vehicles, rental cars, shuttle buses, monorails and ground support equipment all result in an increased use of electricity at airports.

Sourcing and storing green energy

Airports can choose to buy renewable electricity from a traditional utility provider, assuming the provider can meet demand. Some are also turning to the Energy as a Service model where a third party takes on all the planning, capital cost, maintenance and risk on behalf of the airport in exchange for a long-term contract and monthly fee. However, the aviation industry cannot depend on utility providers to decarbonize the grid. It must work together and explore innovative solutions to reduce emissions.

While the generation of solar power at airports isn’t new, many airports are now expanding their capacity and starting to invest in storage. We know it’s possible to run commercial service airports on solar power alone. In 2015, Cochin International Airport in India became the first 100% solar-powered airport, and others have followed suit with several U.S. airports adopting solar-photovoltaic panels within the last decade.

In most locations, the effectiveness and suitability of solar panels or wind turbines will be constrained by space, placement restrictions such as reflectiveness or height constraints, cost and/or weather. Generation will be inconsistent at best, and airports need robust and consistent energy solutions to maintain 24/7 operations.

There are great examples of multifaceted solutions, such as the utilization of innovative battery technology to revolutionize energy management and ensure uninterrupted operations. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is designing a 12-megawatt microgrid as part of the New Terminal One project, which will include 6.63 megawatts of rooftop solar power, 3.84 megawatts of fuel cells and 1.5 megawatts/3.34 megawatt hours of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). BESS can support renewable energy integration by storing energy from renewable energy sources and optimizing costs by storing energy when it’s cheapest and using it when it’s most expensive.

Work is being done to bring BESS into the mainstream, but ultimately it is still an emerging – and quickly changing – technology. Challenges regarding cost, space and fire safety remain.

A blended solution

There’s potential in generating on-site energy at airports and creating exciting partnerships that could benefit airports and the local communities they serve. To achieve electrification while simultaneously meeting increased energy demands, a multifaceted approach is needed. A sustainable energy plan must be incorporated into all airport master plans now, establishing the energy demands of each individual airport, as well as the constraints and opportunities of on-site energy generation. In addition, airports need to work with stakeholders and tenants to plan an effective and successful electrification strategy that considers end-to-end emissions, projected demand from all stakeholders, customer expectations and the balance sheet.

If done right, this will transform the aviation industry into a beacon of sustainability, and airports could become energy hubs helping to build resilience. This resilience could extend beyond the airfield and into surrounding communities, creating a better world for us and those we serve.