Jacobs
Summary
Airports are unique centers of mobility and economic activity. According to the Airports Council International North America, they contributed to more than 7.2% of gross domestic product in the United States in 2023. National and international travel patterns are reaching pre-pandemic levels and airports are recording record numbers of travelers passing through their gates, with travel poised to grow further. Airports are key movers of both people and goods, with many major supply chains moving goods through the air domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, the electric vehicle (EV) transition is well underway. In its World Energy Outlook 2023, the International Energy Agency estimated that 50% of all U.S. car registrations will be EVs in 2030. This may accelerate as the cost of lithium-ion batteries decrease dramatically, setting the stage for lower-cost EVs.
On each the public and private sector side, city transit agencies and private fleet operations have begun electrifying fleets, some of which serve airports. Vehicles like aircraft tugs also are active across airports and critical for operations. And it’s not only vehicles— decarbonization of energy like heat will also contribute to growing electricity demand.
At a macro level, nearly 118 countries committed to a Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge at COP28 to work together to increase the world’s renewable energy capacity by 3x to at least 11,000 GW by 2030. In the United States, the federal government, along with each and every state, set targets as well.
With bold commitments in place combined with staggering statistics on the importance of airport ecosystem vitality to support future energy needs, it’s critical to look at the system that will underpin the achievement of these lofty goals—the electricity grid.
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