For Immediate Release
December 4, 2023
Alexandria, Va. — The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT), comprised of innovative airport leaders and aviation industry experts, has released one of the first industry reports on the state of airports’ energy transition. Supported by leading partners, this new publication takes the pulse of North
American airport operators, ranging from major hubs to regional airports, and identifies options for them to meet operational and sustainability needs in a rapidly changing energy technology and policy landscape.
The results of this ACT survey center around central challenges airports face: power reliability and quality; growing energy needs; and decarbonization and electrification mandates. The results indicate that 100% of surveyed airports across North America expect power needs to grow, yet just 38% could confidently estimate how much electricity they will need, and only 8% had thorough insights into their real-time energy use.
“Airport energy needs are growing exponentially. The transition to electric fleets, both airside and landside, will place substantial strain on existing infrastructure if not planned properly,” noted Michael Christensen, P.E., C.M., Chief Operations & Maintenance Officer at Los Angeles World Airports. “This report emphasizes the need for airports, utilities, the private sector, and local governments to work together to invest in additional power sources that ensure our energy transition is successful and that our expansion and electrification needs are met.”
“We applaud the invaluable insights of our ACT study leaders and participants, who are at the forefront of shaping the energy future of our industry,” said Carter Morris, Executive Vice President, Services, at AAAE. “This report is not just a reflection of current trends, but a crucial guide for navigating the complex energy challenges that airports will face in the coming years. Its insights and recommendations are vital for ensuring a sustainable and efficient transition to new energy technologies.”
"This report is both an alarm bell and a strategic roadmap for airports. It reveals the urgency of the challenge and then shares best practices for solving it,” added Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure. “The report comes at a critical time for meeting growing energy demands and 2030 fleet electrification and decarbonization targets. To hit these targets, airports must build out energy infrastructure at unprecedented speed and scale. That planning must happen now if the infrastructure is to be ready by or before 2030.”
Beyond focusing solely on the challenges ahead, this publication includes examples airport decision-makers across North America have implemented to meet rising energy demands, and it shares concepts airport leaders have enacted to manage their energy transition. It explores step-by-step processes to assess how airports can meet future energy needs, and it emphasizes a call-to-action for the industry.
[Download the Publication]
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ABOUT ACT: AAAE, with the support of CAG Holdings, LLC (CAG), a Carlyle backed company, created the
ACT Program to evaluate and launch – with the backing of substantive industry expert partners – solutions in airports to address the near-, mid-, and long-term needs of the industry. It drives innovation, digitalization, thought leadership, and it helps airports pilot and research practical ways to meet critical needs. The ACT Steering Group, led by airport executives across the United States and Canada, identify and define the working group topics to pilot and study.
ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world's largest professional organization representing the individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 9,000 members represent over 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.
aaae.org
ABOUT ALPHASTRUXURE: AlphaStruxure is a leading Energy as a Service provider and the industry’s top-ranked microgrid integrator. It’s on a mission to design, finance, build, own, operate, and maintain energy infrastructure, including microgrids, to deliver emissions reductions, reliability, and resilience. By doing so, the company helps public- and private-sector organizations achieve ambitious, tailored energy transformations — without the CapEx or complexity. AlphaStruxure’s projects include two of the largest transit microgrids in the U.S. and a microgrid for JFK International Airport’s New Terminal One. AlphaStruxure's joint-venture model harnesses Carlyle's expertise in financing large-scale energy infrastructure projects and Schneider Electric's 185+ year legacy of energy innovation, with over 350 successful microgrid projects across North America. AlphaStruxure is based in Boston, Mass., operates across North America, and leverages global capabilities.