Fuel Cell Hybrid Tractor
The fuel cell is a modern environmentally friendly generator.
It generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen without producing
any pollution or noise.
The process involved is of an electro chemical nature. A high tech membrane separates the positive ions (H+) from the negative electrons (e-), when hydrogen passes on one side of it and oxygen (air) on the other. If these two sides are connected to each other by means of a copper wire, the electrons will flow through it to the ions, thus producing electricity.
Ground support equipment
Airport operations are supported by various types of ground support equipment, ranging from an electric tractor used to tow baggage carts to a 140kVA (GPU) generator used to supply electricity to parked aircrafts. Most of this equipment is fitted with diesel powered engines, apart from the tractors, which are often electrically powered as these are also used inside the baggage basements.
On bigger airfields, the range of the batteries is often too small, the tractors are then often fitted with an onboard diesel generator, the range extender.
Serving the environment
Airports face a concentration of environmental problems. These often restrict the number of aircraft movements. According to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, 30% of these problems are caused by ground traffic. AAS is therefore very much in favour of environmental solutions, especially zero emission solutions. KLM Equipment Services underlines this aim by looking for alternatives for diesel generators (GPU) and diesel powered engines, in particular.