Climate Protection Minister Gewessler honors airport once again
The Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology honored Salzburg Airport's climate protection efforts yesterday, 25.04.2023, at a festive award ceremony in Vienna. Austria's largest provincial airport received its first award back in 2014, followed by the second award in 2017 at the cycling summit in Wörgl.
As part of the “PEP Partnership & klimaaktiv mobil specialist conference” at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce on 25.04.2023, Austrian commercial enterprises and public administration bodies were also recognized for their climate protection efforts by Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler. Claudia Typelt, Head of Environment at Salzburg Airport, and Alexander Klaus, Spokesperson and Head of Press at Salzburg Airport, accepted the certificate on behalf of the airport from Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler, who once again recognized Austria's largest provincial airport for its expertise in climate protection.
“I am delighted that our airport has been honored by the Climate Protection Minister. It is a token of appreciation for our airport, which is making many efforts to achieve net CO2 neutrality by 2040. The measures also include the conversion of our vehicle fleet to alternative drive systems. This is supported by the purchase of the electric highloader. It is an important step on our way to CO2 net neutrality, even if it is only a small building block in our environmental master plan, which we are consistently pursuing,” says Bettina Ganghofer, Managing Director of the airport. In the meantime, the proportion of electrically powered vehicles at Salzburg Airport has risen to around 40% as part of the environmental and energy master plan.
As a certified environmental company (EMAS validated, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certified), the airport sees itself as a pioneer in the field of innovation and the use of sustainable technologies. “We are really making a lot of progress in the environmental sector and strive to improve every day. We all know that raw materials and resources are precious and vital substances, but not everyone is yet aware of how to use them sparingly. Savings and optimization, documentation of key figures and modern environmental technology are the most important basic components for a conscious and meaningful approach to our environment and our stakeholders. Our management programs and the underlying monitoring routines ensure a sustainable approach and a continuous improvement process,” said a delighted Claudia Typelt, Airport Environmental Officer, on receiving the award.
The project - the electric master loader for baggage & cargo
Austrian commercial airports presented their plans for “CO2 Zero Emissions 2050” to the public some time ago. In order to achieve this goal, strategic fields of action were defined, such as the optimization of energy supply, the modernization of building technology and the conversion of airport-specific facilities.
In addition to these main thrusts, the topic of vehicle fleets and mobility was also an important building block in the overall structure in order to significantly reduce or even 100% avoid ground emissions in particular. Airports not only transport passengers, they also need mobile baggage carousels, buses and stairs, but also special vehicles such as large loaders, known as highloaders, which can transport and load baggage and freight in containers to the aircraft. The electric Cargo Master loader, one of the largest of its kind in the e-sector, is one such special vehicle. Its use opens up new opportunities and this electric high-loader can serve any type of aircraft and load baggage and freight in a CO2-neutral manner.
Despite the acquisition costs of around € 320,000 for the new loader, the decision was made in favor of the electric version, which cost around € 50,000 more than the alternative with a combustion engine.
Powered by a hydro-electric system, the Master Loader is a self-propelled device and can transport up to 14 tons of luggage and freight to a lifting height of 5.60 m. Thanks to the innovative asymmetrical adapter system of the front platform, the vehicle is extremely maneuverable and guarantees a problem-free, fast and safe approach to a wide variety of aircraft types. This is very important, especially with high traffic volumes, so that there are no delays in aircraft handling.
Innovative concept
One vehicle - three motors: The three installed electric motors are used as required and all three motors are only needed at the same time for high loads. One motor is completely sufficient to move the loader.
Well thought-out - energy recovery conserves the battery: when the cargo platform is lowered, the electric motors are converted into generators and feed the “gravitational energy” generated in this way back into the battery.
CO2 avoidance calculation: Assuming 300-400 operating hours per year, around 25,000 liters of diesel can be saved over a usage period of 15 years. This corresponds to a CO2 saving of approx. 4.5 t/a or 70 t over the period of use. The battery is charged exclusively with electricity from renewable energy sources.
Low operating costs: By using this charger, the airport saves around 15-20% on operating costs. The charger is charged directly on the apron using renewable energy. The lower engine running times also reduce maintenance costs.
About klimaaktiv
klimaaktiv is the climate protection initiative of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK). With the development and provision of quality standards, the training and further education of professionals, advice, information and a large partner network, klimaaktiv complements the climate protection subsidies and regulations. The aim of the initiative is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the market share of climate-friendly technologies and services of a high, assured quality. The use of renewable energy sources is to be intensified, the energy efficiency of buildings, technical processes and appliances increased and sustainable mobility promoted.
The initiative was founded in 2004. klimaaktiv is an innovative governance instrument that uses an integrative approach to take good ideas, strength and commitment in the federal provinces, municipalities, companies and NGOs and strengthen them at federal level and throughout Austria.
