Pieter Paul van Oerle
Co-founder nlmtd
Pieter Paul van Oerle is the founder of nlmtd and an expert in ecosystem innovation. With a background in business economics and over twenty years of experience, he helps organizations become future-ready by developing innovation programs in collaboration with the technology ecosystem. Pieter Paul is dedicated to creating value that benefits customers, society, and the planet.
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Jan Zekveld, Head of Innovation at Schiphol Airport, discusses the airport’s sustainability ambitions, including the use of taxibots, which save significant amounts of fuel.
This task is certainly challenging. Schiphol Airport serves tens of thousands of travelers every day and must efficiently manage a massive logistical operation. However, the company is dedicated to the task. The airport is fully committed to sustainability, with a strategy that focuses on innovation through collaboration and experimentation. Supported by nlmtd, an agency that accelerates innovation, they are working together on groundbreaking solutions designed to enhance Schiphol’s operations, making them better, cleaner, and more efficient.
An emission-free airport
Airports worldwide face a significant challenge in achieving sustainability. They need to reduce CO₂ emissions even as their primary customers, the airlines, continue to grow. As a result, there is a push for extensive innovation, which includes the adoption of more sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), the electrification of ground operations, and the optimization of airspace configurations. However, implementing these changes requires substantial investments. Additionally, regulations and collaboration with aviation partners are crucial in meeting sustainability goals without compromising their competitive position.
For Schiphol Airport, the challenge is particularly daunting. The goal of becoming completely climate-neutral by 2050 is a considerable undertaking, particularly in a sector that involves numerous airlines, suppliers, local residents, and millions of travelers. Aircraft are responsible for a significant portion of pollution, and an immediate solution is not yet available. However, Schiphol has developed a clear plan to address emissions generated on its premises, such as those from vehicles, buildings, and energy consumption.
Innovate Together
Sustainability is no longer a secondary issue for Schiphol; it is a fundamental aspect of our strategy, emphasizes Jan Zekveld, Head of Innovation. “We recognize that we cannot achieve this alone. That’s why we collaborate with various partners, including start-ups, established companies, universities, and research institutions like TNO. This collaborative effort allows us to test innovative solutions and, if successful, rapidly scale them up,” Zekveld explains. The approach adopted by Schiphol is rooted in experimentation. “Innovation is an uncertain process, and the challenges we face are significant. The only way to make meaningful progress is by focusing on partial solutions.”
Electrified
To achieve our sustainability goals, we have established an innovation program that includes various pilot projects. One of these projects involves experiments with self-driving buses. The innovation team is exploring how these vehicles can be utilized to transport passengers and crew more efficiently and sustainably across the airport grounds. Additionally, it’s worth noting that over half of all vehicles at Schiphol are already electric. However, as Zekveld explains, “Electrification is not the only avenue we are exploring. For heavier vehicles and longer distances, hydrogen may be a more suitable option.”
Hydrogen trials too
That’s why several hydrogen pilot projects are currently in progress. Schiphol is the first airport in the world to test a hydrogen-powered Ground Power Unit (GPU). This type of GPU provides power to larger aircraft without producing emissions, making it a more sustainable alternative to diesel generators. Since electric GPUs sometimes lack sufficient capacity, hydrogen presents a viable solution. The pilot project is being conducted in collaboration with partners like KLM City Hopper and Zepp, and will continue until the end of 2025. It’s essential to note that not all hydrogen experiments are conducted in Haarlemmermeer. “In Rotterdam, there’s a cluster focused on hydrogen, so we are also conducting some pilots at Rotterdam/The Hague Airport,” explains Zekveld.
As the world’s first airport, Schiphol is currently testing a hydrogen-powered Ground Power Unit. This unit provides power to aircraft and serves as a more sustainable alternative to diesel generators.
Taxibots for the aircraft
Another notable experiment is the use of taxibots. These towing vehicles are designed to transport aircraft to and from the runway without requiring the aircraft engines to be running. This innovation saves a substantial amount of fuel, helping to reduce emissions and noise levels. As Zekveld noted, “The first tests with these systems were conducted in 2020. After a series of adjustments, we decided last year to implement the concept in our daily operations.”
Additionally, Schiphol Airport is exploring the sustainability of its grounds. Initiatives include the development of energy-neutral terminals that utilize solar energy and advanced insulation. The airport is also experimenting with circular construction methods and the reuse of materials from older buildings.
Schiphol as a testing ground
Pieter-Paul van Oerle is the director of nlmtd, the innovation agency collaborating with Schiphol on renewal projects. He emphasizes the importance of partnerships, stating, “We believe in an open innovation model. This means we don’t want to develop everything ourselves; instead, we prefer to collaborate with organizations that are already working on sustainable technology. Schiphol acts as a testing ground where new solutions to existing problems can be quickly trialed.”
One significant issue is ultrafine dust, small particles that may pose health risks to both employees and nearby residents. Schiphol conducted extensive tests using mist to reduce ultrafine dust, but this approach proved insufficient. Consequently, the focus shifted to other solutions, such as utilizing electric pushback trucks to taxi aircraft to their designated positions.
According to Van Oerle, this swift validation process aligns well with the airport’s strategic goals. He explains, “In a regulated environment like Schiphol, where we must adhere to procurement obligations, processes typically take a long time. The innovation team has developed a plan to conduct experiments much more rapidly, completing them within weeks instead of months.”
Small improvements, big effect
In addition to physical innovations, digitalization plays a crucial role in the airport’s sustainability efforts. By leveraging smart data analysis, airport processes can be organized more efficiently. For example, advanced prediction models can optimize energy consumption, while intelligent systems improve the deployment of ground staff. “Much of the sustainability comes from small improvements that collectively have a big impact,” says Van Oerle. “Through smart data analysis, we can reduce energy consumption, shorten waiting times, and plan routes more efficiently.”
For instance, artificial intelligence can help reduce queues at security checkpoints. By using a combination of cameras and sophisticated algorithms, Schiphol can predict in real-time where congestion is likely to occur and respond immediately. This not only enhances travel comfort but also lowers energy consumption, as fewer facilities are used unnecessarily.
The future: from experiment to scaling up
Schiphol’s innovative approach is starting to yield results, but there is still much work to be done. In the years to come, the airport will continue to experiment with and test new technologies. “The beauty of this approach is that we can adapt quickly,” says Zekveld. “If something works, we implement it on a larger scale. If it doesn’t work, we discontinue it and try something new.” He adds that Schiphol will continue to search for new partners to collaborate with. “We are always open to fresh ideas and organizations that want to innovate alongside us. With this forward-thinking approach, we hope to set an example for airports around the world.”
