With the guideline on funding for alternative technologies for the climate and environmentally friendly supply of aircraft with ground power at airports, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV – Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr) supports the defossilisation of airport tarmacs.
During the layover periods of aircraft at airports, the required on-board power is often provided at the parking positions located away from the airport building by the auxiliary turbine in the aircraft or mobile ground power systems operated with diesel generators. In particular, the resulting greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions have a negative impact on the surrounding environment and climate, as well as on the prevailing air quality. The use of alternative technologies, such as those based on batteries or hydrogen and direct current, can cover the power demand during such layovers at the airport, avoid greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and minimise noise pollution at the same time.
The ground power guideline aims to provide funding for investments in the procurement of mobile and stationary, environmentally friendly ground power systems to supply aircraft with power and the charging or refuelling infrastructure required for their operation. In addition, through the “RDI Framework” (state aid Framework for research, development and innovation, the guideline aims to further develop existing technical solutions, taking into account the learning effects from market activation, in order to be able to offer users the most powerful, efficient and attractive products possible, also in the medium term. Together, this will make an important contribution to more environmental and climate protection.
In the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Electric Mobility at Airports working group, German commercial airports are also exchanging information on the topics of emission reduction at airport grounds under the coordination of NOW GmbH. Through the National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP), NOW GmbH supports the development and integration of components and systems for hydrogen-based aviation with fuel cells. As part of the guideline to support measures for the development of regenerative fuels, the further development of electricity-based fuels and advanced biofuels is being undertaken, with a focus also on their use in aviation.