Energy and performance evaluation of electricity-based processes at airport gates
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Abstract
To work towards sustainable design, construction, and operation of transportation infrastructure systems, it is necessary to use cleaner sources of energy and employ technologies that reduce local sources of pollution. In this regard and as an important part of transportation infrastructure, airports are now using more electricity-based technologies, with goals of reducing the overall environmental impact of airport infrastructure systems, particularly in locations where people live and work on a regular basis, reducing costs, and improving safety and resilience. Such efforts include replacing fossil-fuel-based with electricity-based technologies. Examples of this transition to use more electricity-based technologies are electric ground support equipment, gate electrification, and electricity-based snow and ice removal system. Since the electricity needed for these technologies would increase the electricity demand of an airport, it must also be assessed to evaluate the overall technical feasibility of using these technologies and their potential impacts on airports.
This research focuses on assessing the performance of two electricity-based technologies: i) gate electrification for providing the electricity for stationary aircraft at airport gates, and ii) electricity-based snow and ice removal system using electrically conductive concrete pavement system at airports. For gate electrification, the energy and utility cost are evaluated through data analysis and developing data-driven models. The potential for deploying renewable energy for its demand is also assessed. For the electricity-based snow removal system, a technology in earlier research stages, the links between energy, thermal and structural performance are studied and evaluated through physics-based field-validated numerical modeling. A design optimization method is also developed to optimize the energy and thermal performance of this system.
Chapter 1 of this dissertation introduces the increasing trend of use of electricity-based technologies at airports with a focus on gate electrification and electricity-based snow and ice removal systems. Chapter 2 contains the methodology and results for data analysis and developing a data-driven model for assessing the gate electrification electricity demand. Chapter 3 contains the methodology and results of energy-efficient design of the electricity-based snow and ice removal system using electrically conductive concrete heated pavement systems. Chapter 4 contains the methodology and results of the assessing structural performance of electrically conductive heated pavement system and Chapter 5 concludes this dissertation with the main findings and recommendations of the research.