The airport sector is undergoing a transformation process aimed at reducing its environmental impact and advancing toward climate neutrality without compromising operational efficiency. In this context, the AeroNet project was conceived with the goal of developing innovative solutions that directly address the strategic objectives of Aena’s airport network, promoting energy sustainability in airports through the integration of renewable energy sources, the implementation of energy flexibility tools, and the creation of a zero-emission management community within airport networks. The project takes a comprehensive approach to the decarbonization challenges of the airport system, combining research, technological development, and validation in real-world cases.

Aena’s sustainability strategy encompasses both its own operations and those of the broader airport ecosystem, with the aim of advancing toward a more efficient and sustainable air transport model. The Climate Action Plan 2021–2030 (PAC) implements this strategy through three major strategic programs: Carbon Neutrality, Climate Change Adaptation, and Sustainable Resource Management. Among these, AeroNet contributes directly to the Carbon Neutrality program, which is structured around action lines focused on reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, fostering technological innovation, and integrating renewable energy sources.

Based on these strategic objectives, a series of questions arise related to the challenge of achieving carbon neutrality. Some of these questions are intended to be addressed in this research project:

  • Is it possible to identify breakthrough renewable energy production technologies that have already been tested in other sectors and could be incorporated into the airport environment? What entry barriers, especially regulatory ones, can be identified? How can these barriers be overcome? All with the goal of maximizing on-site renewable energy production.

  • Is it possible to flexibly manage the trade-off between the airport's energy demand and renewable energy production? What improvement parameters can be incorporated into this trade-off? Could energy storage be a key factor in improving energy flexibility at an airport? Is it better to store electrical energy or convert this energy into another type of fuel and store that? Under what conditions would one alternative be better than the other? Is an agile decision-making mechanism needed, or simply a consistent strategy? All with the goal of maximizing the consumption of on-site produced renewable energy while optimizing emission reductions.

  • Is it possible to create an Aena-specific energy community involving all facilities to improve the overall energy balance? Given the lack of previous experiences, what factors should be considered? All with the goal of globally maximizing the production and consumption of renewable energy by the airport system.

  • Is it possible to conceptually define an emissions management community as a conceptual and strategic evolution of the energy community? Under what parameters should this development be carried out? All with the goal of globally minimizing CO2 emissions from the airport system.

  • Finally, can these advancements be implemented in real case studies? Are airports currently prepared for this? Do they need any prior development?

FUNDING

This project is funded through the “Aena con la investigación” Grants program.

AeroNet: El sistema aeroportuario como agente mitigador del cambio climático – Ayudas “Aena con la investigación”