Denmark’s Copenhagen Airport has become the first airport globally to go-live with Assaia’s EmissionsControl technology.
The roll out of Assaia’s technology paves the way for airports of all sizes to implement the same technology to monitor aircraft ground emissions from Auxiliary Power Units (APU) in real time. The 24/7 year-round visibility of APU usage provides airports with the opportunity to gain greater operational insight and supports sustainability targets.
“The use of APU contributes to noise and emissions of CO2 and air pollution, including ultrafine particles, which are a concern for both our employees and our neighbouring communities,” said Kristoffer Plenge-Brandt, COO, CPH. He explained that the Assaia’s solution takes targeted action to minimise APU usage due to lack of comprehensive data on APU runtime across variable locations and weather conditions.
“That’s why we aim to reduce APU usage as much as possible. With this new tool, we can identify when our operational guidelines are not being met and understand the reasons behind it. That insight is essential for developing effective measures to support cleaner ground operations.”
By delivering real-time insights on a user-friendly interface, the system enables operations teams to gain a comprehensive image of when APUs are running longer than necessary while ground power alternatives are available.
Photo: Assaia
“We know that effective reduction strategies require real-world data, but until now airports have been working with incomplete information,” explained Christiaan Hen, CEO, Assaia. The company’s data-driven approach enables airlines and airports to move beyond assumptions and begin exploring targeted initiatives to minimise unnecessary APU usage.
“Weather conditions significantly impact APU runtime needs, from extreme cold requiring longer warmup times to hot conditions affecting cabin cooling requirements,” he added. “Assaia’s technology fills this critical data gap by providing continuous monitoring that captures these variable scenarios.”
Airlines operating at Copenhagen will see reduced fuel consumption and lower operational costs by enabling ground handlers to further minimise unnecessary APU usage, helping reduce emissions and improve air quality.
