Project to receive 1.9 million euros in funding
While the first ten fully electric ground power units are being delivered these days, Cologne Bonn Airport has initiated the purchase of 15 additional ‘Electric Ground Power Units’ (e-GPUs) including charging infrastructure. The company is investing another 3.2 million euros for this. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) with 1.9 million euros.
The new e-GPUs supply aircraft with ground power and replace conventional diesel generators, thus avoiding CO2 emissions. ‘The electrification of our aprons is an important part of our climate protection strategy. This includes continuous investments in environmentally friendly aircraft handling technologies,’ says Thilo Schmid, CEO of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. ‘We are very pleased that the Federal Ministry of Transport is providing additional support for this development through the funding programme,’ said Schmid.
The 15 new ground power units will be gradually integrated into the airport's fleet. This currently includes more than 130 electric vehicles and devices. In addition to electric cars and passenger buses, this also includes numerous technical devices for aircraft handling, such as baggage tractors, conveyor belts and passenger stairs. By 2035 at the latest, all vehicles and equipment at Cologne Bonn Airport are to be fully equipped with zero-emission drives.
The e-GPU project at Cologne Bonn Airport is funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport with 1.9 million euros as part of the funding programme for the market activation of alternative technologies for the climate and environmentally friendly supply of aircraft with ground power at airports (ground power directive). The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and applications are approved by the Federal Office of Administrative Services.
Ground power units (GPUs) are used at Cologne Bonn Airport on parking positions that cannot be supplied with electricity directly at the passenger boarding bridges. They provide the power for electrical devices on board an aircraft when the auxiliary power unit on the aircraft is switched off. Conventional GPUs are powered by diesel.
The ongoing replacement of GPUs supports the transformation because electric variants reduce CO2 emissions. They are also quieter, rechargeable, emission-free and are used on remote apron positions away from buildings. The chargers are integrated into the e-GPUs. Special charging points with 400-volt connections have been set up on the apron.
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