Airport, Seaport, and Inland Port Decarbonization

NREL researchers provide airports, seaports, and inland ports with comprehensive electrification strategies to reduce and eliminate emissions from vehicles, vessels, cargo-handling equipment, and the grid.

We provide insights that accelerate ports' strategic deployment of low- and zero-emissions vehicles, charging and refueling infrastructure, and the grid improvements necessary to provide convenient, reliable, cost-effective electricity at scale.

Automated electric stacking cranes load cargo containers onto waiting trucks at the Port of Long Beach.

Airport Electrification

NREL empowers airports with tools and data to support a transition toward clean energy.

Leveraging the laboratory's powerful Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems analysis platform, our researchers develop sophisticated strategies to support electrification of passenger, rental fleet, and airport-owned vehicles that operate in and around airports.

After analyzing existing vehicle operations, NREL researchers provide tailored recommendations to gradually phase in the low- and zero-emissions solutions of best fit. These site-specific recommendations include battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and biofuel vehicles, along with the charging and refueling infrastructure and grid upgrades needed to support them.

These efforts are helping to drive substantial electrification efforts at airports, such as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and across the nation.

Inland and Seaport Electrification

For nearly two decades, NREL researchers have worked toward comprehensive decarbonization at some of the busiest inland ports and seaports in the nation.

Our researchers conduct deep analysis into port vehicle operations—including drayage vehicles, port yard tractors, harbor cranes, forklifts, cargo handling equipment, tugboats, and vessels—and deliver customized port electrification strategies to transition these vehicles to low- and zero-emissions alternatives.

Our strategies include infrastructure planning for EV charging; shore power transfer; hydrogen generation, storage, infrastructure requirements, and fueling; and integration of EVs with port facilities, energy storage systems, and the electrical grid.

NREL's work doesn't stop at the port's gates: Our researchers can help plan regional infrastructure to support port activities, such as freight corridor infrastructure plans, infrastructure for interconnected port facilities, and mobility solutions for urban planners. These efforts align with and enable national decarbonization efforts to reduce air and greenhouse gases at U.S. ports, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's national port strategy assessment. We integrate equity considerations into our work by quantifying the impacts of reducing air and noise pollution on the communities surrounding sea and inland ports and identifying opportunities to engage these communities in decarbonization efforts.

Marine Vessel Electrification

NREL researchers are charting the path to lower-emissions maritime freight by exploring alternative marine vessel powertrains. Using NREL's FISHSim: Future Innovative Seafaring Hybrids Simulator, we analyze operational data from marine vessels and create powertrain models for both conventional and alternative fuel systems. Then we pinpoint the solution of best fit, including plug-in hybrid systems, all-electric systems, and next-generation fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels. Our portfolio spans ferries, tour boats, tugboats, and fishing vessels, in addition to exploring the potential for green marine corridors.

Aviation Electrification

As clean-energy solutions spread to the skies, NREL researchers are driving progress on the aircraft and airports of the future. This includes exploring efficiency and alternative energy sources for existing aircraft new conventional aircraft. Researchers are also looking at the novel approaches to aviation that alternative energy carriers and hybridization can bring to next-generation aircraft.

Using our advanced aviation modeling and simulation tools, companies can understand the performance limitations and potential infrastructure needs of low- and zero-emissions aircraft technologies.

Our rapidly expanding aircraft modeling tools build upon years of research looking at all forms of on- and off-road travel that concentrate at airports, including buses, transportation network companies, aircraft ground service equipment, and rental fleets. We continue to develop and enhance accessible tools for ground vehicle modeling to quickly and easily compare powertrains; estimate the impact of technology improvements on fuel and energy consumption, performance, cost, and battery life; and assist in sizing infrastructure to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Our modeling and analysis have informed strategic blueprints for resilient, decarbonized airports, military bases, and vertiports.