Green Airport Promotes Low-Carbon Transportation
2024-05-30 21:05:41
By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio
A flight from Haikou landed at Yichang Sanxia International Airport on the evening of May 26. Airport staff connected the aircraft to a ground power unit via the passenger boarding bridge, providing electricity for lighting and air conditioning.
A flight from Haikou landed at Yichang Sanxia International Airport on the evening of May 26. Airport staff connected the aircraft to a ground power unit via the passenger boarding bridge, providing electricity for lighting and air conditioning.
A staff member from Yichang Sanxia International Airport connects a passenger plane to the power supply unit on the ground. Photo by Wang Tingting.
Historically, aircrafts have relied on aviation fuel to generate power while on the ground, resulting in high costs, noise, and harmful emissions.
"Using ground power has reduced noise levels from 90 to 50 decibels," said Wang Yu, manager of the Equipment Operation Room at the airport.
In December 2020, Yichang Sanxia International Airport partnered with the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company to promote the use of electricity, cutting down on noise and emissions while also reducing fuel costs.
The project includes a distributed photovoltaic power generation system and 11 ground power units which supply electrical power to aircrafts on the ground, allowing the aircrafts’ auxiliary power units (APU) to be turned off. "An aircraft uses about 130 kilograms of aviation fuel per hour while docked, costing 2000 yuan (US$276). With ground power, this cost drops to 480 yuan," explained Wang.
Staff members from State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company inspect the distributed photovoltaic power generation system at Yichang Sanxia International Airport. Photo by Xiao Yijiu.
Since the project's inception, the airport has used 300,000 kWh of electricity, replacing 1215 tons of fuel oil and reducing harmful gas emissions by about 3600 tons.
Yichang Sanxia International Airport. Photo by Wang Tingting.
The airport currently operates flights to Bangkok, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with plans to expand to other destinations across Asia. The airport has already utilized over 90,000 kWh of electricity from ground power units this year, with the annual consumption expected to reach 200,000 kWh.
By switching to ground power, Yichang Sanxia International Airport is leading the way in green aviation, reducing costs and emissions while providing a quieter environment for travelers.
By switching to ground power, Yichang Sanxia International Airport is leading the way in green aviation, reducing costs and emissions while providing a quieter environment for travelers.
