GSE vehicles and aircraft are the two main sources of
pollutants emissions at airports and nearby areas. GSEs are
conventionally powered with IC diesel engines. In this
work, a preliminary analysis of the emissions given by
GSEs employed at airports was investigated. The conventional diesel technology was compared with a PEM fuel
cell-based technology. Both local and remote emissions
were considered, with different airport and aircraft classes
in term of dimensions and traffic. The results show a
reduction of pollutants emissions derived from the use of
hydrogen GSEs. These emissions are estimated to be
25–35 % of reduction for GSE vehicles of power up to
100 hp, depending on the airport scenario investigated. A
more consistent reduction, 40–50 %, is estimated with the
conversion of GSE vehicles up to the power level of
200 hp. The hydrogen production technology was investigated from a well-to-wheel perspective. In particular,
electrolysis instead of SMR gives less emissions for
hydrogen production at the airport. These emissions might
be even reduced employing renewable energy sources.
A preliminary cost comparison between the hydrogen
and diesel GPU was done. The results showed that, despite
the already mature technological level of PEM fuel cell
systems, its cost is not yet lower than its diesel version, but
it might be affordable in the next 10–15 years, based on the
predictions for the next years.
Meanwhile, measures (ICAO 2010) could be implemented in parallel to hydrogen introduction to reduce GSEs
emissions. Such measures comprise a reduction of transfers
and shutdown of inoperative engines, use of more ecological fuels (LPG or methane) and use of fixed installations at the aprons.