October 2024
TULIPS partners Dynell and ZEPP Solutions joined forces to showcase the world’s first operational H2-GPU at the GSE Expo 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. This event, held from September 17 to 19, is one of the key gatherings for the Ground Support Equipment industry in Europe. The H2-GPU was presented to industry experts and interested stakeholders following a successful trial at Schiphol Airport.
Key Takeaways from the GSE Expo 2024
The overall focus of the exhibition was on leaner and greener ground handling services. Most exhibitors presented battery-electric versions of well-known GSE equipment. Discussions with key exhibitors confirmed that electrification of airside operations with battery-electric vehicles is the dominant strategy to meet local airport decarbonisation targets in the European market. However, they also highlighted challenges such as infrastructure requirements and higher capital expenditure.
The Role of Sustainable GPUs in the clean energy transition of airports
Following a new EU regulation passed in 2024, there is a high demand for sustainable ground power to supply stationary aircraft. While most aircraft at larger EU airports are powered from the local grid using static converters, some parking positions require mobile solutions. Conventional diesel GPUs can be replaced by battery-electric eGPUs to reduce emissions, but these require recharging, leading to operational downtime, increased power consumption, and additional charging infrastructure. Moreover, current battery-electric GPUs fall short in providing the energy required for widebody aircraft. For airports where these transition requirements are manageable, battery-electric solutions are viable. However, for others, a hydrogen-powered solution like the H2-GPU can be a viable alternative to fully comply with EU regulations by 2030.
Interest from potential users: “How can we test it?”
The interest from potential users of the H2-GPU has been strong, with most inquiries focused on technical specifications, operational requirements, and infrastructure needs. To our delight a prominent question was, “How can we test it?” This indicates a genuine demand for the TULIPS-induced innovation, providing a motivating push to complete the testing sequence with full confidence. Next stop @Torino Airport!