Optimal dispatch of an electricity-thermal-hydrogen microgrid for zero-carbon airport operations with electric and hydrogen aircraft

Achieving net-zero aviation requires airport energy infrastructure that delivers an efficient, reliable, and diversified energy supply to support the parallel operations of emerging battery-electric, hybrid hydrogen-electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft. This study assesses how airport energy systems can support the transition to zero-carbon aviation. We propose an integrated electricity-thermal-hydrogen microgrid that incorporates photovoltaics, hydrogen fuel cells, and multiple energy storage systems to reduce reliance on the power grid and external energy sources. Firstly, a refined statistical method utilizing surrogate models is developed to estimate aircraft charging and refuelling demand. A stochastic optimization model that exploits load shifting potential is then formulated to minimize total economic costs while reducing operational risks and enhancing grid support flexibility. The resulting optimal energy dispatch ensures that flight schedules and multi-energy demands are met across electricity, thermal, and hydrogen networks. Case studies based on real flight schedules from Manchester airport evaluate five energy dispatch scenarios with varying optimization priorities. The results demonstrate a 29.4% increase in grid flexibility and a 63.2% reduction in operational risks through the proposed strategy. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses examine the impacts of electricity and hydrogen price fluctuations, as well as different fleet adoption ratios, identifying the optimal electric-to-total energy demand ratio for efficient airport energy system operation. These findings provide practical insights for airport operators and policymakers in developing resilient, sustainable airport energy infrastructure and implementing effective zero-carbon airport operations strategies.