The first all-electric aviation refueller in Australia has been put to work marking a first step towards zero-emission airport operations.
The SEA Electric 500 EV was designed and engineered in Australia and built in conjunction with global aviation fuel products and service supplier Air BP and aviation specialists Refuel International.
The vehicle will be based at Brisbane Airport, uplifting jet fuel for business and general aircraft at the busy international airport.
The refueller can carry around 16,000 litres of aviation fuel, with all onboard pumps and functions fully electrified, with the management of the systems provided by the proprietary SEA-Drive power-system.
The system has previously been adapted to electrify a wide range of ancillary functions, such as the hydraulic systems found on refuse vehicles, elevated work platforms, tippers and tilt trays, or the cooling units found in refrigerated delivery trucks.
The latest adaptation sees the bulk of the energy for the truck devoted to the fuel delivery task, rather than propulsion for the vehicle.
SEA Electric chief executive and founder Tony Fairweather says the project showcases the possibilities of EV technology.
“Working airside on the tarmac has its own special suite of conditions when contrasted to a delivery truck on the open road, with the energy demands of the vehicle vastly different to the norm, however, leading criteria such as safety and reliability remain imperative,” he says.
“Of course, there are environmental benefits of converting to EV, with CO2 and other exhaust particulates eliminated, which makes for a healthier work environment at airports.
“Furthermore, this is the first step towards an airport becoming a virtual power plant (VPP). Imagine the near future whereby every Brisbane airport vehicle is battery electric and networked to both renewable sources of energy for charging, such as roof-mounted solar, and also to the grid itself to deploy excess energy when the grid requires it. This is just around the corner.
“Transport makes up a significant portion of total emissions, with the adoption of pioneering EV technology, such as this aircraft refuelling truck, showing a great level of social responsibility,” Fairweather says.
Air BP Asia Pacific managing director Daniel Tyzack says the project has involved two years of collaboration with SEA and Refuel International.
“We are delighted to launch the refueller at Brisbane Airport where we are responsible for fuelling 30 airlines and approximately 100 flights daily.
“Our work reflects BP’s ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner and to help the world get to net zero by working with our customers to help decarbonise,” he says.
For Refuel International, the vehicle is the latest in a long line of projects working with Air BP.
“Refuel International are very proud to have developed Australia’s first electric aviation refueller in partnership with Air BP and SEA Electric,” Refuel International general manager Geoff Pinner says.
