When one mobile power source can do more on the apron

Optional AUX outlets extend the use of the ITW GSE 90 kVA 7400 eGPU beyond aircraft ground power, giving operators another way to bring electrical energy to where it is needed.

Airside operations rarely stay in one place. Aircraft may need support at a gate, a remote stand or inside a hangar, while other operational areas can change according to traffic, maintenance requirements and the daily flow of the airport.

That creates a practical electrification challenge. Electrical power is not always available exactly where the operation needs it.

Fixed infrastructure remains essential at many locations, but greater use of battery-powered equipment is also creating another possibility: bringing stored electrical energy to the point of operation.

Making more use of onboard battery capacity

The 7400 eGPU is designed to provide battery-powered 400 Hz aircraft ground power at all locations including gates, remote stands and hangars.

Now, the 90 kVA version is also available with optional AUX outlets.

The principle is straightforward. Instead of using the onboard battery exclusively for 400 Hz aircraft power, energy can also be supplied through the additional outlets. This effectively allows the eGPU to serve as a mobile power bank when other electrical power is required airside.

For operators, the significance is less about adding another feature and more about increasing the potential use of energy already being carried around the apron.

Flexibility becomes part of the electrification equation

As airports, airlines and ground handlers continue to electrify their operations, equipment selection increasingly involves more than replacing a diesel-powered unit with an electric equivalent.

The location of the energy matters too.

Remote stands and changing operational areas will not necessarily have the same access to fixed electrical infrastructure as established contact gates. Mobile battery capacity can therefore provide an additional layer of flexibility alongside permanent electrical installations.

The AUX outlet option demonstrates how battery-powered GSE can begin to play a broader role in this environment. The same unit that provides aircraft ground power can also make stored electrical energy available for other operational needs.

Lower OPEX strengthens the business case

The business case for battery-powered ground power also extends to operating costs. With fewer moving parts than a diesel GPU and electricity replacing fuel, the ITW GSE 7400 can reduce both maintenance and energy costs. According to ITW GSE’s sample calculation for a 90 kVA unit used 5.5 hours per day, total cost of ownership actually becomes lower than diesel after around two years on average, although actual savings will of course depend on local energy prices and operating patterns.

For operators, the value lies in getting more from one mobile, battery-powered unit – both operationally and economically. The result is a more flexible approach to ground power that can follow the needs of the operation.
 

Explore the ITW GSE 7400 eGPU and the new AUX outlet option