NREL
Connor O'Neil
08 July 2025
As Aviation Continues To See Greater Demand, NASA and NREL Show How Regional Airports Can Become Energy Nodes
Between fleets of rental vehicles and ground support equipment, electricity demand at U.S. airports might quintuple in the next 20 years.
Smaller regional and general aviation airports, which often have simple rural electric connections, are part of that overwhelming growth. Major airport electric investments are incoming, to say nothing of battery-powered electric aircraft that require substantial charging supplies on the ground.
With 30-year decision-making in the air, researchers at NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, are using the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform and other capabilities to analyze energy options for airports, utilities, and public regulators. In many cases, they find a win-win for on-site energy generation and storage.
More: Beyond Flights: Airports Could Bolster Grid Security and Adaptability | Grid Modernization | NREL
