Accelerate Sustainable Developments Without Major Capital Investments

The world is constantly changing. This year more than ever. Right now, the aviation industry is only a shadow of itself, but for sure it will reestablish itself with time.

In times like these, the most agile companies are also the most successful. Flexibility is one part of the equation. Another one is an up-to-date GSE fleet, ready to handle the challenges and changes that we are facing in the post COVID-19 version of the aviation industry. In the past 15 years, emissions coming from aviation have increased by 70 percent. The aviation industry is now responsible for about 3 percent of the world’s CO₂ emissions. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the governmental support packages available require that part of the financial help are spent on green technologies. While waiting for electric aircraft and biofuels, the industry must do what is possible to efficiently reduce emissions on the ground.

Switching to up-to-date greener equipment is normally associated with significant capital expenditures (CAPEX). However, ITW GSE’s new Power by the Hour subscription plan facilitates the green transition without any CAPEX and most likely with a reduction of operation expenditures (OPEX) too. That was the idea behind the creation of the concept, i.e. to ensure that money would not be an excuse for staying with diesel equipment.

Part of the same equation was the launch of the ITW GSE 7400 eGPU - the world’s first battery driven 400 Hz ground power unit (GPU). Until that moment, there were no alternatives to diesel GPUs where infrastructure did not allow for solid-state converters. Suddenly, it became possible to remove more than 40 percent of the CO₂ emissions from each turnaround, previously served by a diesel GPU.

A great achievement, but ITW GSE were well aware that not everyone would be ready to jump on new technologies at the first glance; therefore, they started considering that customers want other financial options than simply buying an eGPU. The Power by the Hour proposal, shows that ITW GSE believes  their product that they are willing to remove all concerns – and make the swap from diesel to eGPUs a better business case. The advantages quickly add up: Savings, flexibility, scalability, reduced emissions, better working environment, access to the latest technology to mention a few. Users  decide how many hours they will use the equipment per month, and ITW GSE handles the rest.

A diesel GPU typically runs eight hours a day. The engine constantly runs at high speeds to generate the 400 Hz necessary to supply an aircraft with power. Therefore, it uses more than 40,000 liters (10,550 gallons) of diesel a year. The high workload means that overhaul, maintenance and repairs are a considerable expense. In fact, 2/3 of expenses for a diesel GPU can be operating and maintenance expenditures. Because of the higher operating expenditures related to diesel GPUs, users can replace all diesel equipment with new eGPUs on a Power by the Hour plan.

Flexibility is Key 

Routes are changed, opened and discontinued all the time. New business opportunities arise. Others disappear. Agility and flexibility are therefore key words for running a healthy business now and in the future.

On a Power by the Hour subscription, ITW GSE ensures maximum flexibility. Money is not tied up in hardware and customers can easily scale their plans up and down to match changes in requirements. Both the number of units and the hour plan can be changed on short notice. If the hours available on a year basis are exceeded, extra hours are simply charged on a flat rate basis. There are no penalties or unforeseen expenses.

With Power by the Hour, users have the clean, reliable, cost-efficient and green equipment at their disposal – without major capital investments. Power by the Hour is available for all ITW GSE’s mobile solid-state GPUS and it includes mobile pre-conditioned air (PCA).