What is the strategic importance of Edmonton International Airport for Canada and for the region at large?
It is a significant topic to explore. We have developed our airport to serve as not only a transportation utility, but as an economic driver for our region and country. We are waiting for updated numbers, but in 2019, we created over $3.2B CAD in economic output and supported over 26,000 jobs. We see ourselves as a regional economic asset that stimulates economic development, attracts investment, and creates jobs.
Most notably, Edmonton Airports has created an Airport City Sustainability Campus, which is an integrated ecosystem that fosters innovation and spurs collaboration, with a focus on reducing emissions and commercializing emerging technologies. For example, we have five incubators onsite at the airport, including the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre. Our incubators are home to over 30 companies and hundreds of jobs in industries such as aviation, clean tech, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and so forth. Our team works with local companies looking to scale up as well as international companies interested in entering the North American market by leveraging our airport ecosystem to pilot and demonstrate their technology. The airport acts as a facilitator to foster collaboration to promote a more sustainable future. This has led to partnerships across sectors, utilizing their expertise to drive innovation.
One example is our partnership with Dragon Heat, one of our incubator companies, that created an oil gas technology that we then co-developed to become a ground-breaking aircraft heating system that considerably reduces carbon emissions.
Additionally, our airport serves as a major cargo hub because of our geographic sweet spot and cargo infrastructure developments. Edmonton International Airport is the largest landmass airport in Canada with an abundance of space for development. Our location facilitates the movement of goods from around the world across Canada and the US, presenting a more environmentally conscious route by removing the hurdles of the Rocky Mountains. Our airport’s cargo developments have been further propelled with our Federal Government’s recent investment of $100M CAD that will unlock a 2000-acre development for global cargo handling operation for multi-modal distribution into North America.
As an airport, we strive to play a vital role in our region and leverage our ecosystem to drive economic development across industries for a sustainable future.
Can you elaborate more on the innovations such as the aircraft heating system and how these are impacting not just the aviation sector but other industries?
Diving into the Dragon Heat project, we took a process used in oil and gas and reimagined it for aviation. The new aircraft heating system eradicates problems seen with existing solutions that generate moisture, undesirable for aviation equipment. Our approach created a dry heat solution that significantly reduces carbon emissions, with the potential for zero emissions. This technology has since found applications beyond aviation, offering environmentally friendly heating solutions for building construction.
We have also pioneered other innovative technologies at our airport. In collaboration with a company from the Netherlands, we have utilized robotic peregrine falcons for wildlife control, which has reduced bird strikes by over 60%. Additionally, we are utilizing drones for cargo delivery, aiming to make the last mile of delivery eco-friendly. This integrated approach not only ensures safety and sustainability but also leverages technological advancements to forge pathways into an eco-friendly future. Our perspective is broad, encompassing innovations that transcend industry boundaries, working towards not only a sustainable airport but also a sustainable future for other industries. Emissions reductions will only happen if we all work collectively together.
Tell us more about the work you are doing with hydrogen cars and sustainable aviation fuel.
In our constant pursuit of reducing our carbon footprint, we are leading several sustainability initiatives, including driving the adoption of hydrogen. We see hydrogen as being a key technology to help us reach net zero The city hosts Canada's inaugural hydrogen hub, which facilitates cross-industry partners and a wide array of applications for this alternative energy source. Canada is a global leader in hydrogen development.
By April next year, we aim to have North America's largest fleet of hydrogen Toyota cars here in Edmonton. We are also looking to convert our airport fleet to hydrogen, including buses, taxis, and airside equipment like runway sweepers. We also have a partnership with ZeroAvia, a leading hydrogen-electric aircraft developer for hydrogen flight. In collaboration with various partners, including Toyota and Mitsui, we are venturing deeper into hydrogen solutions, which are also crucial as an input for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF has been identified as a critical technology in aviation’s decarbonization roadmap to meet climate targets, particularly for long-haul flights.
On the topic of SAF, our commitment extends to ensuring that our pathways to SAF do not compete with the food chain, keeping in tune with our sustainability goals. We are fervently exploring partnerships that align with this vision, focusing on responsible and sustainable alternatives. It is part of our broader commitment to foster regional economic prosperity sustainably, having a positive ripple effect on the community by supporting technology innovation and aiding entrepreneurs.
What is the broader impact of these initiatives on the community and how do you foster partnerships to facilitate this?
Our broader goal goes beyond traditional metrics of success for an airport; we are ardently committed to community uplifting. From aiding in reducing food costs in northern Canada to nurturing a hub for entrepreneurs and innovators, we strive to go a step further than a conventional airport.
Our endeavors are always a result of collaboration, involving various stakeholders including governmental bodies at different levels, working together holistically on diverse projects. A testament to this collaborative spirit is when we introduced the world’s first electric de-icing truck to an airport, an initiative in partnership with Aeromag and federal Ministers, which has now spurred further installations in Montreal.
Can you provide details about Airport City Solar and its expected completion?
Construction for Airport City Solar is slated to commence in the spring. The project, estimated to be completed in two years, will comprise a 120-megawatt solar farm with around 347,000 panels. Moreover, there is an upcoming agricultural component beneath the solar farm, details of which will be announced soon. This project is expected to generate approximately 200,000 MWh of power annually. To put it in perspective, the airport's consumption is only between five and eight MW, with our partners taking their share.
Our ambition is to produce enough power for roughly 30,000 residents annually and eventually make the airport entirely self-reliant for its power needs.
Have other entities begun to emulate the unique technologies the Edmonton International Airport has adopted, such as heating technology or cargo drones?
Absolutely. To give you a backdrop, our airport has committed to becoming net zero by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Climate Accord's schedule. This dedication means working with value-aligned partners to ensure we reach that goal. While every airport is unique in its operations, the aviation community tends to share innovations, leading to collaborative improvements. For instance, our initiative of using Robird for wildlife management has been adopted by several other airports. Another groundbreaking venture is our partnership with Drone Delivery Canada. It is exhilarating to witness drones autonomously delivering packages every hour, with the main control center being over 1,600 kilometers away. This initiative showcases the synergy of multiple partners, including Drone Delivery Canada, Air Canada, Zing Final Mile, Apple Express, and several government entities.
Will such green initiatives lead to higher costs for consumers?
New technologies generally have a higher initial cost, analogous to the exorbitant price of the first flat-screen TVs. However, as these innovations become mainstream, prices typically drop, making them more affordable. Achieving sustainability will undoubtedly have its costs, but it is vital to understand that the investment is not just monetary. The collective effort of governments, consumers, and industries is crucial. Collaboration across sectors, even among competitors, can lead to cost-effective, efficient solutions.
A shining example of this is our sustainability partnership with KLM and participation in SkyTeam Network’s Sustainable Flight Challenge, where we demonstrated the most sustainable long-haul flight. We incorporated over 50 initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact, including electrification of the fleet, sustainable cargo materials, and 39% SAF, the largest amount ever on a commercial long-haul flight.
Many of these initiatives are now standard industry practices, signifying that cooperative endeavors can lead to tangible results.
What is your personal motivation behind driving these sustainability initiatives?
My passion stems from a profound sense of responsibility. I was moved when my 15-year-old son confronted me about the environmental impact of the aviation industry over the years. He challenged me to contribute positively to a more sustainable future. This personal commitment, combined with the collective dedication of our team, drives us to ensure Edmonton International Airport remains at the forefront of our sustainability initiatives.
