Innovations

Schiphol has set up a research lab on the inside of Pier D. This lab offers a unique environment to investigate the behaviour of ultrafine particles, conduct pilots and test innovative solutions. The aim is to gain more insight into how UFP behaves at the airport and how measures and technologies can influence this behaviour. Ten ultrafine particles meters have been placed on the inside of Pier D. The collected data not only helps to develop targeted measures to reduce exposure to UFP, but also makes it possible to measure and evaluate the effect of innovations, such as the impact of Cirqulair.

We have successfully tested sound detection sensors on a number of aircraft stands. These sensors allow us to reliably detect APU use. With a full rollout of these sensors on the apron, we will gain reliable insight into APU use. This not only helps with enforcement, but also with getting a better insight into the effectiveness of measures to reduce APU use, such as the rollout and deployment of electrical aircraft equipment.

In collaboration with TULIPS, a European innovation and research programme, we have successfully completed tests with a hydrogen-powered Ground Power Unit. The hydrogen GPU ensures lower emissions than diesel. This innovation can provide a solution in places that are more difficult to electrify, or for certain aircraft types that require more power than e-GPUs can supply.

This super battery, called the Iron Flow, is the size of a small shipping container. It has charging points that can absorb peak loads on the power grid. By charging the Iron Flow at off-peak times, it can supply e-GPUs with power at times when there is less capacity on the grid.

The Powershare is an innovative solution that allows e-GPUs to be charged using Fixed Power Units (FPUs). An FPU is a permanently installed system that supplies aircraft with power. This allows aircraft stands that do not have charging infrastructure to still be able to use e-GPUs by utilising the FPUs at adjacent stands.

We are looking at new ways to remove ultrafine particles from the air. One of these new ideas is the Cirqulair. This is a large filter machine that sucks in UFP-containing air, cleans it, and then blows out clean air again. We will continue to investigate whether we can use this innovation on a larger scale.

The water droplet experiment sought a solution to remove ultrafine particles from the air using mist. We wanted to test whether droplets would stick to ultrafine particles, so that the dust particles would then be washed away. But the experiment showed that this does not happen; the dust particles do not stick to the water droplets.