Memmingen Airport has been sourcing green electricity “ÖkostromPlus” since October 2024.

To ensure the airport’s operation, electricity and heat are partly generated through a de-centralised solution via combined heat and power plants. The biogas required as fuel for the engine is obtained directly from the biogas producer, Bitzer, from Hawangen via the company’s own north-south supply route. The CHP unit is switched on when there is insufficient electricity from wind and solar energy in the country. The electricity is then fed into the grid, and the heat is temporarily stored in the large external storage tank.Various components in the AEM heating centre round off the green portfolio of renewable energies in use:Information on the heating infrastructure and district heating network:

• Raw biogas CHP: 1,500 kW (electrical) and 1,700 kW (thermal)
• Existing CHP unit: 250 kW (electrical) and 290 kW (thermal)
• Buffer tank: 300,000 litres
• Heat generation: approx. 14,000 MWh/year
• Wood pellet system
• Length of district heating network: approx. 7 km

Memmingen Airport has taken receipt of a completely new lighting system. In 2019, a switch was made to LED technology for the take-off & landing lighting with edge, centreline and touchdown zone lighting. In addition to this development, the lighting and screens in the terminal and administrative buildings were converted to LED, as was some of the lighting in the car parks.

One of the most environmentally friendly methods of energy generation is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. PV systems are also being installed at Memmingen Airport, such as on the open-air canopy situated in front of the Airport Service Center.

Technical information:

• 125 KW
• Roof size 50.00 m x 11.06 m

The PV system at the electric charging station on the access road to the terminal is also used to generate green electricity.

Parked aircraft require electricity—whether for onboard computers, air conditioning, or lighting. Climate-friendly ground power units are now available at Memmingen Airport to support the future of airport operations.

Funding totaling just under €560,000 was provided for these units by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport under a program designed to stimulate the market for alternative technologies for climate- and environmentally friendly ground power supply to aircraft at airports (the “Ground Power Directive”). The funding directive is coordinated by NOW GmbH, while applications are approved by the Federal Agency for Administrative Services.

Starting in 2025, four battery-electric ground power units (eGPUs) will be deployed. Switching from units powered by synthetic diesel to eco-friendly ground support equipment represents a crucial step toward decarbonizing airport operations. eGPUs operate quietly, help improve air quality, offer higher efficiency, and entail lower maintenance costs.

By deploying this equipment, Memmingen Airport is advancing the objectives of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and taking a significant step toward its goal of achieving locally emission-free ground handling.