Patented climate control technology for lowering energy (-40%) and electricity use (-95%) in airports

Summary

A Swedish SME has developed a ground-based heating/cooling system as a source for climate control of an aircraft cabin. Key findings show at least 40% less total energy use than other air condition units for parked aircrafts. They are looking for airports in the central or southern parts of Europe aiming at transforming their energy supply from fossil to renewable energy with focus to show best practice of climate conditioning. Commercial, technical or R&D cooperation agreements are foreseen.

Description

The transformation of the energy supply from fossil to renewable energy is the single most important challenge for the aviation industry's long-term future. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) latest report pointing at the pressing need for the aviation sector to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.

With energy efficiency and sustainability being the starting point in all their activities, the Swedish SME was founded in 2015. Their core competences are in HVAC-design and cleantech solutions for the transport sector. The company have recently received Seal of Excellence for the Enhanced EIC Accelerator project proposal.

The Swedish SME offers an environmentally friendly, patented heating and cooling air condition (AC) system for parked aircraft units' cabin spaces, especially for commercial aircraft. With connection to the district heating / district cooling network or heat pump and their unique control system, it provides a cost- and environmentally efficient solution. At the same time, electricity capacity is released for e.g., charging of electric vehicles.

The climate control system can be adapted to deliver heat or cooling – or both combined. Measuring of temperature via sensors ensures desired cabin climate before departure. The source can be either district heating, heat pump or another primary source. Their AC serves aircraft classes: ICAO code C-F.

They are now offering airports to benefit from their patented ground-based heating/cooling technology. The company propose the following steps for implementation:

+ The airport or terminal owner lend an AC system form the Swedish company and in close collaboration install and run the system over a defined period of time. (Technical/R&D agreement)
+ Data from the testing period will be a guided how to further implement the system at the airport.
+ Commercial agreement with an implementation plan.

Commercial, technical or R&D cooperation agreements are foreseen.

Advantages & innovations

The company's air condition (AC) system provides environmentally friendly heating and cooling for parked aircraft. Their patented AC system uses at least 40% less total energy than other AC-units, typically diesel or electricity driven AC-units or even the APU (Auxilliary Power Unit a jet engine run with jet fuel) and reduces carbon emissions with up to 99%. It also releases up to 95% of the electricity used compared to electric AC-units, power to be used elsewhere like the charging of batteries and electric vehicles for instance. Example: An electric AC-unit uses 100 000 kWh electricity. The new unit uses 5000 kWh electricity and 55 000 kWh heat. Electricity -95% Total energy -40%. This will make the airport better prepared for electric vehicles and aircraft. Their system is also easy to handle for the ground staff and in just four steps its up and running: 1. Connect the flexible duct to the aircraft. 2. Place the temperature sensor inside the cabin. 3. Turn on the unit and choose aircraft type. 4. The AC system is running - check contact with cabin sensor.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Contact/ source: Patented climate control technology for lowering energy (-40%) and electricity use (-95%) in airports | een.sk