For all our efforts to live more sustainably — taking public transport, driving electric cars, retrofitting our homes — there’s one carbon-intensive habit that still haunts the environmentally aware: flying. So the question becomes not whether we should fly, but how we can do it better.
Researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden [59.9°N, 17.6°E] have taken a deep look at what it will take to electrify the aviation sector — not just the aircraft themselves, but the entire ecosystem they depend on: the airports, charging systems, fuels, and power grids. Their review paper doesn’t just explore engineering upgrades; it offers a clear-eyed view of the innovations and trade-offs shaping the next era of air travel.
The message is hopeful: electric and hybrid aircraft are coming, and with the right infrastructure, airports can evolve into power hubs for sustainable aviation. But it will require smart choices, realistic expectations, and a lot of electricity.
Why Electrify Airports?
It’s easy to focus on the plane. But planes — like electric cars — need to be charged. And charging a 9-seat aircraft or, eventually, a 50-seat regional jet demands massive amounts of power, delivered safely and on tight schedules. That’s not what most airports are currently built to handle.
The Uppsala study shows that preparing airports for electric aviation will involve rethinking how power is generated, stored, and distributed. It will also involve strategic decisions about which charging methods to adopt, and which fuels — like hydrogen or Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — are viable for which types of flights.
Plug In or Swap Out? Charging Strategies Compared
Two main charging strategies are emerging:
- Plug-in charging, where aircraft are connected directly to high-power chargers (similar to EVs, but with megawatt needs).
- Battery swapping, where charged batteries are exchanged for used ones, speeding turnaround times and offering a steadier demand on the grid.
Plug-in charging is mature and relatively simple, but it comes with drawbacks: high and fluctuating power demand, and stress on battery life from fast charging. Battery swapping is efficient and better for the grid, but it requires standardisation, more storage space, and complex logistics.
In short: plug-in charging is more practical today, especially for smaller planes, but battery swapping may suit the larger aircraft of tomorrow — if industry standards evolve.
Solar, Wind, Hydrogen — Powering the Airports Themselves
Airport electrification doesn’t stop at the gate. To power planes and service vehicles, many airports are exploring local renewable energy production:
- Solar power is promising, especially for airports with ample open land — though it brings challenges like glare for pilots and potential radar interference.
- Wind turbines can help too, but are trickier to integrate due to tower height limits and safety concerns.
- Hydrogen production on-site is another option, using excess renewable energy to create fuel for aircraft or backup electricity — though efficiencies remain low, and the infrastructure is still emerging.
For Northern Europe, where seasonal sunlight is limited, battery and hydrogen storage will be essential to bridge gaps in renewable production. In Canada, where regional air travel is critical and distances vast, the opportunity is clear: airports can become microgrids, generating and storing clean energy for aviation and ground operations alike.
What About Long-Haul Flights?
Electric aviation is unlikely to replace transatlantic or transcontinental flights in the near term. Batteries are too heavy for that kind of range. But alternatives are being pursued:
- Hydrogen can power aircraft via combustion or fuel cells — each with trade-offs in energy density and storage.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be used in existing jet engines, but producing enough of it is challenging and feedstock-dependent.
The study notes that on-site SAF production is not feasible at most airports, due to biomass limitations. Instead, SAF will likely come from centralised facilities — and will not significantly affect airport electricity use.
The Bigger Picture: Rethinking the Grid
One of the most insightful findings from this study is that airports themselves will need to evolve into energy hubs. Grid capacity must increase. Energy storage must be scaled up. And operational decisions — like when to charge aircraft — must align with electricity pricing and renewable availability.
In future, the electricity used to charge planes could come from solar at noon, wind at night, or batteries during peak demand. Airports might even feed power back to the grid during downtimes.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re living in Northern Europe or Canada, this research is more than an academic exercise. It points to a future where cleaner flying is possible, but only if we build the right infrastructure now.
This will mean:
- Smarter airports powered by renewables
- Standards for aircraft charging and battery design
- Investment in grid connections and energy storage
- Realistic policies that balance near-term emissions cuts with long-term innovation
It won’t be easy, but it’s no longer just a dream. With coordinated effort and political will, your next regional flight could be powered by clean electricity — and leave behind nothing but propeller wash and possibility.
Source
Electrifying Aviation: Innovations and Challenges in Airport Electrification for Sustainable Flight, Advances in Applied Energy, 2025-05-16
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