Robin Schneider is director of marketing at Indiana-based Green Cubes Technology, which manufactures lithium-ion batteries. Here, she offers her perspective on how airports can meet increasingly strict sustainability targets
What’s the biggest challenge facing airports today?
One of the most significant challenges that airports face today is achieving sustainability while maintaining operational efficiency. With increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and operate more sustainably, airports must find innovative solutions that also align with their operational goals.
How can this be tackled?
Utilising lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for ground support equipment (GSE) is a key solution. These batteries are not only more environmentally friendly but also offer longer lifespans and lower maintenance requirements than traditional lead-acid batteries. Implementing Li-ion battery technology can significantly reduce carbon footprints and operational costs.
What has the sector learned from COVID-19 and the ensuing recovery period?
The aviation sector has learned the importance of flexibility and resilience. During the pandemic, many operations were scaled down or halted, which highlighted the need for scalable and efficient solutions. The focus has shifted towards technologies that can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, ensuring continuity and sustainability in operations.
Lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) technology and rigorous testing protocols ensure the batteries meet the highest safety standards
What have you learned?
Green Cubes has 35 years of experience in battery technology and 11 years of experience building large scale batteries for motive applications. We've learned that innovation and adaptability are crucial. The pandemic underscored the need for industries to pivot quickly and adopt new technologies. For us, this meant accelerating the development and deployment of Li-ion battery solutions to provide more reliable and sustainable options for ground support equipment.
What do you most want to see happen in the sector?
We want to see widespread adoption of sustainable technologies across all aspects of airport operations. Our goal is to contribute to a future where airports operate with minimal environmental impact while maximising efficiency by providing Li-ion battery solutions that are safe, effective, sustainable and efficient.
People are a little wary of Li-ion batteries – what can you do to convince them that the technology is safe?
Safety is our top priority. We use lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) technology and rigorous testing protocols to ensure our Li-ion batteries meet the highest safety standards, and we have more than 10,000 batteries in the field. Our batteries come with built-in safety features such as thermal management systems, overcharge protection and short-circuit prevention. Additionally, we offer extensive training and support to help operators feel confident in using our technology.
What single piece of advice would you give an airport operator in today's climate?
Invest in sustainable and scalable solutions. The industry is moving towards greener practices and early adopters of technologies such as Li-ion batteries for ground support equipment will not only benefit from long-term cost savings but also improve their environmental footprint. Being proactive in adopting sustainable solutions will position airports better for the future.
