Sydney Airport :
Electric Vehicle
In 2021, Sydney Airport made a commitment to reduce its Scope 1 (ground-support vehicle fleet and natural gas) and Scope 2 (facility electricity needs) carbon emissions to zero by 2030.
The transition to net zero for Scope 2 was to be achieved via reducing electricity consumption (demand reduction) and switching to a 100% renewable power supplier.
Outcomes & Insights
The findings from the assessment were used to support the airport’s infrastructure and net-zero by 2030 plans, which were announced by the CEO in mid-2021.
The analysis informed the Airport senior executive and other internal stakeholders about the key trade-offs involved in alternative approaches to electrifying the ground support vehicle fleet, and has supported detailed planning of steps towards achievement of Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 by 2030.
Airport Electric
Vehicle Transition Review
Direct Client: Beca
End Client: Sydney Airport
Services Primary : Economics & Financial Analysis
Sector: Transport
Background
The transition to net zero for Scope 2 (ground support vehicles and natural gas), however, required a detailed analysis of the options for moving to low and zero-emission vehicle fleet across the entire airport operations.
Ground vehicles were historically diesel powered, and include aircraft tugs, baggage ramps, auxiliary power units to serve aircraft when on the tarmac.
The focus of this study was to understand the impact and potential pathways to the electrification of ground support vehicles, including fixed infrastructure (charging stations) and the vehicles themselves.
Our Role
Aalto was engaged to evaluate the financial and socio-economic outcomes from a rapid transition to cleaner and green technologies versus a slower transition to these vehicles at Sydney Airport. The Airport was interested to understand both the ‘bottom line’ financial implications of the transition as well as the impact on users (airlines, handling services and engineering services) and socio-economic return for the wider community and state.
Aalto worked alongside a multi-disciplinary team including project managers, services engineers, airfield planners, cost planners and ground support equipment (GSE) planners and commercial managers at the airport.
Aalto prepared a detailed economic and financial model of several transition scenarios, looking at the installation, replacement and upgrade of an array of ground-based equipment, taking into account both direct costs and savings as well as a range of environmental benefits associated with the project.