Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is to conduct a trial into deploying energy storage to replace diesel generators currently used to power stationary aircraft.
As part of its wider sustainability plan, the airport will use a long duration energy storage system from manufacturer ESS Inc.
Called the Energy Warehouse, the system will be used to recharge electric ground power units, which will in turn be used to replace the diesel ground power units currently used to supply electricity to planes.
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ESS said Energy Warehouse has a storage capacity of 400 kWh, a 25-year design life and can be configured to provide storage durations of 6 to 12 hours.
The company added that as a nontoxic iron flow battery, it poses no fire or explosion risk which makes them safe for use in close proximity to passenger aircraft.
ESS director for Europe, Alan Greenshields, said energy storage could “help decarbonize airport operations and reduce ground level emissions, and improve air quality for airport and airline employees and passengers”.
Schiphol aims to be a zero-waste and emission-free airport in 2030.
“We hope that the partnership with ESS enables Schiphol to advance our electrification and decarbonization strategy,” said Oscar Maan, Royal Schiphol Group manager of innovation.
“If this pilot is successful, this is a double-win, as it both reduces our carbon footprint and reduces air pollution.
