Electrification of ground operations at Montpellier Mediterranee Airport

ended

"Montpellier Mediterranee Airport is the second busiest airport in Occitanie region in terms of passenger traffic with nearly 2 million passengers in 2019. During their stopovers, commercial aircraft at Montpellier airport cover their electricity needs thanks to mobile diesel driven generators (""GPU"" - ground power unit) and have their air conditioning needs supplied with their internal turbine (""APU"" - auxiliary power unit, working with kerosene). Besides this, multiple handling companies' machines, called GSE (ground support equipment), are required for the proper functioning of aircraft stopovers (stairs, tractor, disabled lift, etc.) which are more and more getting electrified. This project's overall objective is to improve local air quality and to limit carbon emissions from aircraft by electrification of ground operations. The objective will be achieved with the deployment of infrastructure for: - electricity supply to stationary aircraft by installing 8 aircraft power supply points, known as ""400Hz"" (or fixed electrical ground power - ""FEGP"") as well as 5 aircraft air conditioning supply systems called ""PCA"" (pre-conditioned air - electrical systems) and - electric supply facilities for ground operation vehicles by building a charging station for the ground handling devices. As the power requirements of these systems are significant, an upgrade of the airport's electrical infrastructure is necessary. This project will be gradually implemented through 3 phases and over a period of 36 months. Each phase will take place during the airport's activity off-peak periods : winter seasons. Each phase is composed of tasks such as power supply works and equipment installation. The project expects to reach the following results and impacts by 2025: between 1000t to 1500t of CO2e (GHG) yearly carbon emission savings and 5t of fine particles and air pollutants emission saving. The project will lead to a fair reduction of carbon emissions by providing green energy source with guarantee of origin for stationary aircraft. This project will help in the transition between fossil fuels and renewable energy, since airport operations electrification is a first strong step towards carbon neutrality for the aviation industry. Moreover, by supporting zero emission transport, the project is contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal, as set out in the Communication from the Commission COM(2019) 640 of 11 December 2019. This project is part of the “Ambition 2026” airport’s mid-term strategy plan, aiming to reduce airport CO2 emissions by 50% by 2026 and it is in line with its involvement in the Airport Carbon Accreditation process."