Kansai Airports, the operator of Kansai International Airport, has launched Japan's first demonstration test of an electric ground power unit (eGPU) for supplying electricity to aircraft while they are on the ground at Terminal 2 of Kansai International Airport.

A demonstration test of Japan's first electric ground power unit (eGPU) has commenced at Terminal 2 of Kansai International Airport, in a joint effort by four companies including Kansai Airports and Peach Aviation.

Electricity is required for aircraft lighting, etc., while parked. At Terminal 1 of Kansai International Airport, ground power units (GPUs) for supplying electricity to parked aircraft are buried underground, allowing power to be supplied to each aircraft via fixed cables.

Terminal 2, on the other hand, lacks permanent GPU facilities. Power has been supplied through the aircraft's auxiliary engines for self-generation or via mobile diesel GPUs equipped with diesel generators on board.

The Kansai Airports Group, which aims to be a zero-emission airport, has initiated this demonstration test to promote the introduction of vehicles with low environmental impact. The eGPU is rechargeable and low-noise, and its CO2 emissions are approximately 1/30th of an aircraft's auxiliary engine self-generation and about 1/10th of a diesel GPU.

The demonstration test will be conducted until Friday, July 31, 2020. We look forward to seeing the results.