October 2022 - 15

Electric and hybrid solutions are now available on more product
lines and should be available on almost everything by the
end of 2022, according to Schmitt.
" We believe that every customer today has, at a different
level, a sustainability agenda. And for those who don't, I am
sure they are actively working on it to avoid losing ground
against the competition, " he says. " There is a lot to learn, but
this is also lowering the cost base and creating competitiveness
for the future. "
propulsion equipment in 2013. But at that time, it was too early
for the technology to be accepted at airports, Cesarini explains.
" Now the landscape has totally changed and airports are
already organizing an appropriate infrastructure for the accumulation
of hydrogen cells, " he says, noting some Italian airports
have launched green hydrogen storage and distribution
initiatives.
As a member of H2IT, Aviogei is focused on the development
of hydrogen powered solutions. H2IT is the Italian Hydrogen
and Fuel Cells association, which brings enterprises, research
centers, universities, technology clusters and local entities
Aviogei
presented a
prototype of
a hydrogen
hybrid
powertrain
developed
for ground
equipment at
the GSE Expo
Europe.
together to work in the hydrogen sector in Italy.
" H2IT aims at stimulating the creation of the infrastructure
for the use of hydrogen, ensuring a leadership role for Italy in
the international market. We have also partners for the fuel
cells and we are collaborating with lab research, " he says.
Still in the development phase, Aviogei's first goal has been to
achieve the feasibility and performance of a hybrid propulsion
system powered by hydrogen and lithium polymer batteries.
From there, Cesarini says the goal is to expand offerings and
further support customers' decarbonization efforts.
" The project will have an important impact on the decarbonAVIOGEI
INTRODUCES HYDROGEN
HYBRID POWERTRAIN
At the GSE Expo Europe, Aviogei presented a small-scale prototype
of a hydrogen hybrid powertrain developed for ground
support equipment.
The hydrogen powertrain, installed on a vehicle for passengers
with reduced mobility (PRM) is being carried out in
collaboration with the Industrial Electronics Laboratory of the
Electrical and Information Engineering Department at the University
of Cassino and Southern Latium.
" Hydrogen will play a
Aviogei also exhibited
electric powered
equipment, like these
passenger stairs, at
GSE Expo Europe.
key role in the transition to
renewable energy sources, "
says Andreas Cesarini, CEO
at Aviogei Airport Equipment.
" It is the best choice for
at-scale decarbonization, as
it is an inexhaustible source
that can be produced from
many sources and has a
high-energy power - about
2.5 times more than methane.
Aviogei has contact in
progress with Italian airports
that have ongoing hydrogen
projects. "
Along with the University
of Cassino, Aviogei began
a project for hydrogen
ization of the airport industry, contributing to the achievement
of the objectives of the airports committed to the net zero targets, "
he adds. " In particular, the European aviation industry
is strongly committed to reaching net zero CO2 emissions and
contribute to the goals set in the European Green Deal and the
Paris Agreement. "
While this initial hydrogen project has been applied to a PRM
vehicle, Cesarini says the company intends to extend the use of
the technology to all of its GSE production.
" We have detected interest in this new technology and in our
programs, " he concludes.
JBT EXPANDS BEYOND eGSE
Having supplied its JetAire PCAir and Jetpower 400 Hz products
for several years, officials at JBT AeroTech note the company's
commitment to saving fuel and reducing aviation's
carbon footprint.
JBT aims to reduce challenges and costs associated
with ramp electrification through its AmpTek solution.
October 2022 || AviationPros.com || 15
AVIOGEI AIRPORT EQUIPMENT
AVIOGEI AIRPORT EQUIPMENT
JBT
http://www.AviationPros.com
October 2022

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