A REVIEW OF SMART ENERGY PRACTICES AT AIRPORTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

Airports are intricate systems comprising buildings, parking lots and land infrastructure, each with unique characteristics that influence energy consumption patterns.On the airside, airfield lighting and radio navigation systems are the primary energy users, while on the landside, the terminal building stands out as a major energy consumer due to its role in passenger and cargo handling, and the extensive facilities it houses.Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems are often the top energy consumers within airports, making it imperative to explore innovative strategies to reduce energy expenditure in these facilities.To address this challenge, airports are adopting smart energy solutions, involving electrification, ICT integration, and energy optimization.This paper reviews the current state and future prospects of these emerging trends, covering the following aspects.Regarding electrification, the paper discusses how airports are shifting to electrical power for ground support equipment, passenger vehicles, and terminal buildings, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and improving their environmental performance.Focusing on ICT integration, the paper examines how airports are using advanced energy management systems, data analytics, and predictive modeling tools to monitor and optimize their energy consumption patterns, achieving significant energy savings, and operational efficiency.Finally for energy optimization, the paper explores how airports are implementing energy optimization measures, such as HVAC optimization and waste heat recovery, enhancing their overall sustainability and resilience.The paper also analyzes the potential and challenges of using renewable energy sources at airports, such as solar and wind power, highlighting the technical, safety (e.g.glaring for photovoltaic panels or interference with communication and trajectories for wind generators) and regulatory issues that need to be addressed.The paper concludes with a vision of the future of smart energy at airports, emphasizing the role of innovation, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement in driving the transition to a more sustainable aviation sector.