Adopting Renewable Diesel for Aviation Ground Support Equipment - Spring

Team Members: Emma Oonk, Ian Choo, Ellie Alter, Dina Chuteneva, Tarun George, Vasu Jayanthi, Yilin Kong, Christina Morano, Vincent Tang, Yuxin Tu, Oliver Xu

This project explored the feasibility of transitioning Aviation Ground Support Equipment (GSE)—the fleet of vehicles used to service aircraft—from petroleum diesel to renewable diesel (RD) at PANYNJ airports. Unlike biodiesel, renewable diesel is a "drop-in" fuel produced through hydrotreating fats and oils, making it chemically identical to petroleum diesel. The team’s scientific research demonstrates that RD can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional diesel. Furthermore, technical data shows that RD produces significantly lower levels of criteria pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which directly improves local air quality for airport workers and surrounding communities. Research findings identify that the primary barrier to adoption is a "price premium" and a fragmented supply chain in the Northeast compared to the West Coast. The team’s analysis included interviews with fuel suppliers and airport stakeholders to evaluate the operational requirements for dedicated storage tanks and blending infrastructure. A key finding is that RD requires no engine modifications, making it a high-impact, immediate solution for decarbonizing heavy-duty vehicles that are difficult to electrify. The report recommends that the Port Authority utilize its procurement power to aggregate demand across its facilities, thereby lowering costs and incentivizing regional production. The findings conclude that a shift to renewable diesel is a vital bridge technology that allows PANYNJ to achieve rapid emission reductions while the technology for fully electric heavy-duty ground equipment continues to mature.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Capstone projects.