Aviation
Decarbonisation

CTS technology can be used to aid the decarbonisation of aviation in multiple applications across airports

Applications for aviation

Since 2014, Enertechnos has worked to develop a patented electricity distribution system that delivers more power with fewer losses than conventional cable can. Unlike traditional electrical cables CTS works even better at higher frequencies and over longer distances. CTS has a major advantage in three areas that are relevant to airports:

  • 400Hz Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP)
  • 50/60Hz transmission of remote renewable power to the airport
  • 85kHz wireless power transfer to allow charging of EVs without plugging them in

Aviation decarbonisation

All airports are facing the challenges of decarbonization and everything that can be done to improve efficiency helps on the road to Net Zero. While most suppliers focus on selling one piece of efficient technology – LED lights, plug-in EV chargers, etc., Enertechnos focuses on gaining large-scale efficiency by improving the way that electrical power is supplied, distributed, and metered for the various ways it is used in the airport.

Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP): achieving Net Zero
for airports

Start with a high-frequency ring main for each terminal

FEGP: the benefits

  • 400Hz distribution direct to every gate from central unit
  • Capital savings reducing converters
  • Ground power to remote stands with CTS
  • Reduce use of APUs and GPUs
  • Increased resilience by providing power distribution
  • Thermal recovery from centralised power electronics to heat terminals
  • 85kHz ring main for wireless EV charging

The problem

Aircraft require ground power at 400Hz. It is a requirement to reduce the use of APU and GPU for aircraft on the ground in order to reduce carbon emissions.
 
  • Provision of FEGP is restricted by current cabling technology to a short distance between a 50/400Hz converter and a single aircraft – typically 50 – 60 metres.
  • In the event of converter failure, the gate is unserviceable, or the aircraft must use GPU or APU.
  • A converter is required for every gate – with consequent low utilisation rate.
  • Difficult to provide FEGP at remote stands because of distance

Our solution

Utilise a high frequency ring main for each terminal (gates and remote stands). This is made possible by Enertechnos’s CTS which uses a patented cable topology. CTS enables a high frequency distribution circuit.
 
  • CTS is effective < 5,000 metres at 400Hz (cf. < 60 metres for conventional cable)
  • Far more cost-effective solution as converter can be shared between multiple aircraft
  • Greater resilience to failure compared to one-to-one converter-aircraft configuration
  • Far easier to extend to remote stands
  • Overall capex and opex reductions from simplified design
  • Potential for heat recovery from centralised converter for use in terminal heating
  • Facilitates provision of power for electric PCA units at remote stands
  • Enables reduction in GPU/APU use because higher availability, and so reducing carbon footprint of airport

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) for airside fleet

Obstacles or wide-open spaces?

EG Static (Before) Final VersionEG Static (After) Final Version

Airside WPT: the benefits

  • More space for complex routing of vehicle movements
  • Opportunity charging – less downtime
  • Smaller batteries – up to 30% lower vehicle costs
  • No cable breakages or inaccurate connections – saves man hours
  • Cuts potential collisions with chargers and other vehicles reversing from the unit
  • 85kHz ring main from the central converter
  • Lower CAPEX on the frequency converter
  • Heat recovery from the central converter to heat terminals
  • CTS cable has lower power losses over greater distances than any other cable

Net Zero emissions on the ground is the goal for all airports

With thousands of movements of vehicles 24/7, either owned by the airports, airlines, ground handlers and many outside companies, detailed studies should be made to recommend (conclude) the most efficient and cost-effective ways to achieve these goals.

As a first stage in such a study, Enertechnos will be able to demonstrate how its unique CTS cable can effectively be used with minimal power loss, enabling multiple BEVs to be charged from one central power source with no charging ‘furniture’ allowing easier and safer vehicle movements while achieving zero emission goals.