Multi-Actor Governance Framework for the Electrification of Airports (MAGIC)

Despite improvements in the energy efficiency of aircraft, the growth in passenger volumes is likely to leave the aviation sector with positive emissions by 2050. The limited role of biofuels in aviation necessitates the development of novel technologies like hybrid-electric aircraft, as noted in the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Jet Zero Strategy. Along with the electrification of taxiing and other ground support equipment, this may mean future power demands of airports increase significantly. The management of these loads is contingent upon the utilisation of renewable resources and other assets like batteries, as well as the coordination of charging and discharging decisions by different actors in an airport.

MAGIC aims to develop a multi-actor governance framework for airports that can enable cost-effective management of these new loads by considering conflicting interests, politics and discordance about the allocation of costs and benefits across different actors.