
IES, IEES, has used its digital twin technology to show the capabilities of Brussels Airport’s airport to reach net zero emissions by 2030, which greatly speeded up the first goal of the net airport by 2050.
IES has developed a digital twin for Brussels Airport, which is a single, unilateral international airport of three runs, which spreads more than 1,250 hectares, and works more than 24,000 people and crosses more than 26 million passengers and a half million tons of shipping every year (based on 2019 prenatal numbers).
This pioneering project is delivered as part of the European Union’s main Stargate initiative, which has received a grant of 24.8 million euros from the European Green Deal to develop concrete solutions to improve the sustainability of airports and aviation. Brussels Airport plays a pioneering role in the Stargate project, which is being implemented alongside a 21 partner union, including airports in Athens, Budapest, and Toulouse, who also collaborate with IES to develop digital twins to support their carbon goals.
The project represents a big step from the current use of digital twin technology at airports, as it was commonly used in experiments to improve commercial operations. Consequently, cooperation with Brussels Airport through Stargit will be one of the first examples of digital twins that are published for carbon removal modeling on a large scale at the airport.
IEES created a digital replica of the 40 most powerful energy density buildings at Brussels Airport before modeling scenarios such as solar PV -energy installation, EV charging, and electrical heating to find the most effective ways to net carbon emissions by 2030 for the airport.
Through strict stages of modeling, simulating the Brussels Airport plan to reduce emissions through its buildings through various energy saving measures, including replacing gas boilers with heat pumps and installation of solar photovoltaic energy on the site. When doing this, they were able to check up to 63 % of carbon dioxide for the basic 2019 through these measures. Modeling has shown that the plan is a strong path to removing carbon, and in this way, Brussels Airport is now publishing carbon energy solutions over the next six years. It is also committed to investing in additional renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind energy, to be less dependent on external energy providers, which means that the airport can be carbon -free by the end of this contract.
“To reach zero zero, we must follow a totally approach, and in this particular industry, carbon removal buildings can help us in a positive intervention.
“Airports operate across a vast area, require large amounts of energy, and experience complex energy reactions. Make any operating change that is not easy, and such decisions should be supported by evidence, and this is where digital twin technology can be a change in the game.
“This project is the first and explains the effectiveness of digital twin technology in determining the future of complex sites such as airports. We are proud to be a partner in this advanced initiative and work with the great team at Brussels Airport to make a positive effect in the long run.”
“The biggest challenge we face today is achieving clear net emissions. Airports can play an important role in reaching this goal. According to data from IEA, the aviation industry represents 2 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions in 2022, and these need numbers to verify trying to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try to try The station to the station.
“By spreading zero carbon solutions inside our airports buildings, there are promising opportunities to make a positive effect in reducing our emissions 1 and 2. While there is still a lot of work to do, the digital twin technology can help us simulate the effect of various clear chest solutions, so that we can move forward in achieving the ambitious goals that we put.”
“Funding from the European Union was very important, in addition to a 30 % contribution of Stargate Partners as joint financing. With more than 30 projects under Stargate, it is an investment that enhances cross -border cooperation, and faces sustainable aviation challenges on an equal footing.”