GP JOULE, based in Reußenköge in North Frisia, is an integrated energy supplier active in all areas of the energy value chain: from generation to use – and from consulting, financing, and project planning to construction and service. GP JOULE produces and markets wind and solar power, green hydrogen, and heat, and uses the energy where it is most effective: in electric and hydrogen mobility, in households, and in industry. Since 2009, GP JOULE has been working to create a secure, independent, and sustainable energy supply in Europe from Germany.

Munich Airport and the “Net Zero 2035” project

The North Germans are currently developing a holistic energy supply concept for Munich Airport in order to implement its “Net Zero 2035” project. Taking into account all sectors relevant to airport operations – electricity, heating, cooling, and mobility – the result should be a technically, economically, and ecologically viable concept that serves as a guide for the airport's further transformation steps.

Climate targets are both technically and economically feasible

One of the key findings of the analyses conducted by the GP JOULE CONSULT team for the transformation of Munich Airport is that ambitious climate targets are not only technically feasible, but also economically viable. The key to this is the intelligent linking of the above-mentioned sectors, which come into play in a large-scale operation such as this. Munich Airport's goal is to reduce its directly and indirectly controllable CO2 emissions from buildings, energy generation, airport technical facilities, and vehicle fleet by at least 90 percent by 2035, ten years ahead of the national climate targets. The remaining maximum of ten percent is to be offset by permanent CO2 compensation measures.

Valid decision-making basis thanks to AI-supported simulation

The developers at GP JOULE did not just carry out a theoretical analysis, but also used a digital twin to map different supply scenarios. In doing so, they integrated energy flows, load behavior, and market interactions. This enabled them to design various transformation paths, which were then evaluated in terms of climate impact, economic efficiency, and security of supply. The insights gained now serve as a valid basis for Munich Airport's decisions on investments in an economically attractive conversion of its own energy supply. Dr. Harald Pointner, Head of Renewable Energies, Supply and Disposal at Flughafen München GmbH, summarizes: “The results of the project are a milestone for us and have been developed jointly through planning and operation. They represent an excellent basis for the upcoming major energy supply projects at Munich Airport. Digital modeling has made us flexible for the challenges of the coming years, and we are now implementing the next steps.”

From concept to implementation

For further implementation, the energy concept developed by GP JOULE CONSULT provides not only the data basis but also a roadmap for the next implementation steps to achieve the airport's self-imposed goal of “Net Zero 2035.” Dr. Sebastian Hammon, project manager at GP JOULE CONSULT, explains: “Together with Munich Airport, we have not only put the climate targets on a solid technical footing. We have also developed concrete options for action for the next steps. Our model shows achievable goals – both technically and economically. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to highlight the benefits that this transformation is already bringing to the major players today.”

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