Efficient Ground Power Supply for Modern Aviation

Efficency

Efficient Ground Power Supply for Modern Aviation

The Ground Power Unit by ELME Elektromechanik

Aircraft require a reliable power supply even while on the ground. During maintenance, boarding, or system checks, all onboard systems must be supplied with stable electrical power.
This is exactly where Ground Power Units come into play. They replace the aircraft’s onboard auxiliary turbine — the so-called APU — and provide a more efficient, quieter, and more sustainable ground power solution.

Challenges at Airports:

Using the onboard turbine results in:

high fuel consumption
significant noise pollution
high CO₂ emissions
additional wear and tear
increasing operating costs

In addition:

stricter environmental regulations
rising energy costs
growing efficiency pressure
higher demands on ground operations

Many aircraft still generate power on the ground using their onboard Auxiliary Power Unit. While this method is reliable, it is also expensive and inefficient.
The APU consumes jet fuel, creates noise, and causes considerable emissions. Large airports in particular are therefore under pressure to implement more sustainable solutions. Ground Power Units are now the international standard for this purpose.

What Is a Ground Power Unit?
A Ground Power Unit supplies aircraft with electrical power while on the ground.

Typical Applications

apron operations
hangar operation
maintenance & MRO
engine start
system testing
boarding & turnaround

Available Variants

28 V DC
400 Hz AC
stationary
mobile
battery-powered

The GPU provides external electrical power to an aircraft. This allows the aircraft to operate its onboard systems without using its own auxiliary turbine.
Depending on the aircraft type and application, different voltage levels and power classes are required. Reliability, voltage stability, and ease of operation are particularly important.

ELME Elektromechanik
Specialist in Industrial Power Supply Solutions

Strengths:

development and production in Germany
robust industrial-grade quality
high reliability
customized solutions
many years of experience
civil and military applications

Core Areas:

Ground Power Units
power supply systems
custom solutions
mobile energy systems

ELME Elektromechanik stands for robust and high-performance power supply solutions. Especially in the field of Ground Power Units, the company combines technical reliability with a high degree of flexibility.
This enables solutions to be tailored precisely to the requirements of airports, airlines, maintenance providers, or military users.

Why ELME?

Technical Advantages

stable voltage supply
high peak power
reliable continuous operation
compact design
available as mobile or stationary systems
easy maintenance

Operational Advantages

lower operating costs
reduced downtime
fast deployment readiness
easy integration
high availability

In daily operations, one thing matters most: reliability. ELME systems are designed for continuous use in demanding airport environments.
Particularly important is the high starting power combined with stable voltage supply. This protects sensitive onboard electronics and ensures safe operational procedures.

Economic Advantages::

Savings Potential Through GPU Usage

jet fuel consumption
APU maintenance costs
wear and tear
emissions
noise pollution

Increased:

efficiency
availability
sustainability
process reliability

The investment in a modern Ground Power Unit often pays for itself faster than expected. Even just a few saved APU operating hours per day can lead to measurable cost savings.
In addition, maintenance requirements are reduced and emissions lowered — an important factor for modern airport concepts.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in aviation. Ground Power Units make a direct contribution to reducing emissions and noise. Especially at major airports with strict environmental regulations, modern GPU systems are now an essential part of sustainable infrastructure.

Key Takeaways
Ground Power Units enable:

efficient ground operations
lower operating costs
reduced emissions
quieter airport operations
greater reliability

ELME offers:

robust technology
high performance
flexible solutions
industrial-grade quality
practical, application-oriented systems