New tools to support the member airports’ effort to minimize environmental footprint

Promoting sustainable aviation development and reducing or limiting the environmental footprint of airports has been one of ACI’s core initiatives as the prerequisite for aviation’s operation and growth. To meet this objective, ACI developed and has been distributing the Airport Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool (ACERT) to its member airports since October 2012. Furthermore, ACI has recently unveiled a new tool called Aircraft Ground Energy Systems – Simulator (AGES-S) to help airports quantify the environmental and economic benefits of reducing the use of the aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) by replacing it with ground energy systems.

Newly revised Airport Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool (ACERT) v.5.1

ACERT is a self-contained Excel spreadsheet that enables an airport operator to calculate its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. The tool was developed with the intention of supporting airport operators without dedicated environment personnel or expertise by inputting readily available operational data. Methodologies are consistent with the ACI Guidance Manual on Airport Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management (2011) and the GHG Protocol. ACERT is now compatible with all levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) and provides the necessary information for the ACA Online Application. Recent revision to v.5.1 of ACERT was based on feedback from users since the launch of the v.5.0, including more options for individual fuels and refrigerants, and more up-to-date and detailed grid emissions factors. To obtain ACERT, please send a request to ACERT@aci.aero.

Aircraft Ground Energy Systems – Simulator (AGES-S)

A new addition to ACI’s portfolio is the AGES-S. This is also an Excel-based tool that assesses the economic and environmental benefits of substituting the aircraft APU with ground energy systems that provide both electricity and pre-conditioned air (PCA).

With relatively low fuel efficiency rates, emission from APUs can be a considerable hurdle for local air quality and noise management for airports. A ground energy system that provides both power and PCA to aircraft may not only achieve a significant reduction in associated air pollutants and noise emissions but could also lead to up to 90% fuel savings compared to APU usage. AGES-S will provide a snapshot of expected environmental benefits and financial savings under different scenarios by substituting APU usage to ground energy systems. To obtain AGES-S, please send a request to AGES@aci.aero.