Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TULIPS (DemonsTrating lower pollUting soLutions for sustaInable airPorts acrosS Europe)
Reporting period: 2023-07-01 to 2024-12-31
TULIPS (DemonsTrating lower pollUting soLutions for sustaInable airPorts acrosS Europe) will demonstrate innovations that facilitate the transition to low-carbon mobility and enhance sustainability at airports. As part of the EU Green Deal and EU Climate Law, this project contributes to the EU's goal of becoming a climate-neutral continent by 2050, the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promotion of sustainability in the EU.
The overall objective of TULIPS is to achieve lower or net-zero emissions at airports by utilising sustainable energy production, greener transport modes and other measures. It aims to reduce the carbon footprint of airports and improve local air quality. The project brings together 31 partners across Europe and an external advisory board to accelerate the implementation of innovative and sustainable technologies at airports. The project is supported by the EC with €25 million in funding and also aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasising its commitment to environmental objectives.
Execution of TULIPS will take place in seven demonstrator work packages, assessed and supported by four supporting work packages, all aimed to reach the set targets and build a European roadmap towards 2030 and 2050 objectives. In total 17 demonstrations will be tested at the lighthouse Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and assessed at fellow airports Oslo, Turin and Larnaca, measuring their benefits to society and environmental impacts. Successful demonstrations will be included in the EU roadmaps for the set 2030 and 2050 long term targets across airports of different sizes.
The specific TULIPS objectives include improving multi-modal travel to reduce traffic congestion, enhancing airside electrical infrastructure for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, implementing smart energy solutions for managing airport operations, and integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology for zero-emission ground support equipment.
Furthermore, the project supports the upscaling of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in EU, establish an EU fuel certification clearing house, and implements circular economy practices at airports. Additionally, TULIPS seeks to standardise approaches for measuring ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions and optimise land related carbon sequestration.
The overall objective of TULIPS is to achieve lower or net-zero emissions at airports by utilising sustainable energy production, greener transport modes and other measures. It aims to reduce the carbon footprint of airports and improve local air quality. The project brings together 31 partners across Europe and an external advisory board to accelerate the implementation of innovative and sustainable technologies at airports. The project is supported by the EC with €25 million in funding and also aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasising its commitment to environmental objectives.
Execution of TULIPS will take place in seven demonstrator work packages, assessed and supported by four supporting work packages, all aimed to reach the set targets and build a European roadmap towards 2030 and 2050 objectives. In total 17 demonstrations will be tested at the lighthouse Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and assessed at fellow airports Oslo, Turin and Larnaca, measuring their benefits to society and environmental impacts. Successful demonstrations will be included in the EU roadmaps for the set 2030 and 2050 long term targets across airports of different sizes.
The specific TULIPS objectives include improving multi-modal travel to reduce traffic congestion, enhancing airside electrical infrastructure for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, implementing smart energy solutions for managing airport operations, and integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology for zero-emission ground support equipment.
Furthermore, the project supports the upscaling of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in EU, establish an EU fuel certification clearing house, and implements circular economy practices at airports. Additionally, TULIPS seeks to standardise approaches for measuring ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions and optimise land related carbon sequestration.
In the first period (January 2022 - June 2023) all work packages to gain the specific targets and demonstrations have been started successfully. Also, the required tasks to organise assessments and facilitate TULIPS on performance monitoring, deployment and implementation, project management and communication & dissemination have started and provide useful guidance and support to the demonstrator work packages. In this period, nine public reports have been published on various topics, eg the feasibility of hydrogen and e-fuels, airport circularity data and management tooling, and overarching project management plans and communication strategies.
During the second reporting period RP2 (July 2023 – December 2024), TULIPS made significant strides to validate the usability of its 17 demonstrations and to qualitatively estimate the impact of those technologies across the identified impact areas.
The project’s demonstrations are progressing well, with several already completed and others entering final testing phases. The most important milestones during this period are as follows:
- Hydrogen Ground Support Equipment (GSE): Schiphol Airport successfully demonstrated a hydrogen-powered ground power unit (hGPU), with further trials planned at Torino, Rotterdam, and Larnaca airports.
- Smart Energy Infrastructure: A large-scale iron flow battery was installed to power electric ground equipment, while a heat storage system is being tested at Schiphol’s fire station.
- Electric Aircraft Charging: The world’s first unattended electric aircraft charging demo was completed in Rotterdam, showcasing safe, automated charging without need for human intervention.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Preparations are in progress for the delivery of 30,000 tonnes of SAF to Schiphol in 2025.
- Circular Economy in Action: Airports in Amsterdam, Oslo, and Larnaca are piloting waste reduction and material reuse strategies, such as 'waste safari' initiatives to increase passenger awareness and test nudging strategies. Digital product passports and smart tracking tools are being utilised to extend the life of construction materials and reduce landfill waste.
- Cleaner Air and Land: Biochar trials are underway to enhance carbon sequestration on airport-controlled land. While a water-based system to reduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) proved marginally effective, continuous air quality monitoring is being performed to develop future mitigation strategies.
- Green Mobility: Digital tools are being developed to encourage passengers and freight operators to shift to cleaner transport modes. Early simulations indicate potential for optimising modalities and reducing road traffic emissions.
During the second reporting period RP2 (July 2023 – December 2024), TULIPS made significant strides to validate the usability of its 17 demonstrations and to qualitatively estimate the impact of those technologies across the identified impact areas.
The project’s demonstrations are progressing well, with several already completed and others entering final testing phases. The most important milestones during this period are as follows:
- Hydrogen Ground Support Equipment (GSE): Schiphol Airport successfully demonstrated a hydrogen-powered ground power unit (hGPU), with further trials planned at Torino, Rotterdam, and Larnaca airports.
- Smart Energy Infrastructure: A large-scale iron flow battery was installed to power electric ground equipment, while a heat storage system is being tested at Schiphol’s fire station.
- Electric Aircraft Charging: The world’s first unattended electric aircraft charging demo was completed in Rotterdam, showcasing safe, automated charging without need for human intervention.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Preparations are in progress for the delivery of 30,000 tonnes of SAF to Schiphol in 2025.
- Circular Economy in Action: Airports in Amsterdam, Oslo, and Larnaca are piloting waste reduction and material reuse strategies, such as 'waste safari' initiatives to increase passenger awareness and test nudging strategies. Digital product passports and smart tracking tools are being utilised to extend the life of construction materials and reduce landfill waste.
- Cleaner Air and Land: Biochar trials are underway to enhance carbon sequestration on airport-controlled land. While a water-based system to reduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) proved marginally effective, continuous air quality monitoring is being performed to develop future mitigation strategies.
- Green Mobility: Digital tools are being developed to encourage passengers and freight operators to shift to cleaner transport modes. Early simulations indicate potential for optimising modalities and reducing road traffic emissions.
TULIPS has demonstrated that sustainable airport transformation is not only technically feasible but also economically and socially beneficial. The project’s integrated approach, combining clean energy, digital innovation, and circular practices, has delivered tangible impacts in the second reporting period. The following are some of the most tangible results from deployable technologies:
Environmental Impacts
Air Quality Improvements:
- Hydrogen-powered ground support equipment, including a hydrogen GPU and tow tractor, significantly reduces remaining local air pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter.
GHG Emissions Reduction:
- The deployment of electric trucks in airport logistics and integration of smart energy systems (for example, iron flow batteries and heat storage) will contribute to measurable reductions in carbon emissions.
Waste and Resource Efficiency:
- Circularity initiatives at Amsterdam, Oslo, and Larnaca airports are targeting a 20% reduction in residual waste per passenger. Interventions included reusable catering systems, smart bin design, and centralised waste logistics.
Carbon Sequestration:
- Biochar field trials at three airports demonstrated the potential to enhance soil carbon storage and to incorporating carbon into the soil and successfully sequestering CO2.
Socio-Economic Impacts
Operational Efficiency Gains:
- The hydrogen GPU prototype showed faster refuelling and longer operational autonomy compared to diesel counterparts, reducing aircraft turnaround times and improving ground handling efficiency.
Health and Safety Benefits:
- The elimination of fossil fuel emissions through implemented smart energy solutions and improved airside operations is positively impacting occupational health for airport staff and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.
Market Development and Innovation:
- The demonstrations were a catalyst in scientific innovations and new industrial solutions. For instance, the modular charging system and unattended electric aircraft charging demo are enabling new business models in ground infrastructure services.
Public Engagement and Modal Shift:
- Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps and intermodal hub simulations encourages modal shifts that lead to reducing congestion and local emissions.
Environmental Impacts
Air Quality Improvements:
- Hydrogen-powered ground support equipment, including a hydrogen GPU and tow tractor, significantly reduces remaining local air pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter.
GHG Emissions Reduction:
- The deployment of electric trucks in airport logistics and integration of smart energy systems (for example, iron flow batteries and heat storage) will contribute to measurable reductions in carbon emissions.
Waste and Resource Efficiency:
- Circularity initiatives at Amsterdam, Oslo, and Larnaca airports are targeting a 20% reduction in residual waste per passenger. Interventions included reusable catering systems, smart bin design, and centralised waste logistics.
Carbon Sequestration:
- Biochar field trials at three airports demonstrated the potential to enhance soil carbon storage and to incorporating carbon into the soil and successfully sequestering CO2.
Socio-Economic Impacts
Operational Efficiency Gains:
- The hydrogen GPU prototype showed faster refuelling and longer operational autonomy compared to diesel counterparts, reducing aircraft turnaround times and improving ground handling efficiency.
Health and Safety Benefits:
- The elimination of fossil fuel emissions through implemented smart energy solutions and improved airside operations is positively impacting occupational health for airport staff and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.
Market Development and Innovation:
- The demonstrations were a catalyst in scientific innovations and new industrial solutions. For instance, the modular charging system and unattended electric aircraft charging demo are enabling new business models in ground infrastructure services.
Public Engagement and Modal Shift:
- Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps and intermodal hub simulations encourages modal shifts that lead to reducing congestion and local emissions.