LFV and Vattenfall in collaboration on the fossil-free airport

LFV and Vattenfall are now initiating a research collaboration that involves further steps towards a fossil-free transport sector. The starting point will be the new research arena LARC (LFV Aviation Research Center) at the airport in Örnsköldsvik, where solutions for fossil-free airports will be developed and be able to function as a template for other airports.

The research collaboration is the result of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between LFV and Vattenfall, which involves research and development for the transition to sustainable aviation and the joint development of a comprehensive solution for the design of a fossil-free airport.
"The Letter of Intent with Vattenfall is an initiative in line with LFV's establishment of LARC in Örnsköldsvik, a new collaboration arena for industry, academia, and society. All within the scope of unmanned aviation, electric aviation, airspace issues, and airport operations. In close co-operations such as this, we create opportunities for developing and validating new solutions for increased safety, cost efficiency, and reduced climate impact", says LFV's Acting Research Director Gunnar Olsson.
"Together with LFV, we want to find solutions and install charging infrastructure to make it possible to completely transition to electric vehicles - to, from, and within the airport area and eventually also for electrically operated aircrafts. Other solutions may include installation of photovoltaic installations and battery storage that provides quick access to electricity when the customer needs it", says Maria Lindberg, head of Vattenfall Network Solutions in Sweden.

New solutions are being developed
LFV's and Vattenfall's collaboration includes new solutions for:

• Refuelling of vehicles (charging with electricity and / or battery replacement).
• Transport within the airport area (buses, cars, aircrafts, tugs, tractors, and other ground transport vehicles).
• Micro-producing infrastructure such as photovoltaic installations.
• Uninterrupted power through, for example, redundant systems and their ancillary services.

A plan is now being drafted where goals, forms, and time horizons for the collaboration are articulated, such as enabling regional flights with a flight distance from 400 kilometres and longer.The solution for a fossil-free airport in Örnsköldsvik will then function as a template for other airports. The next step is to examine export markets with associated structures and strategies for fossil-free airports.

LFV is Sweden’s leading provider of air traffic control and associated services for civil and military aviation. LFV pioneered remote air traffic control and is a driver of digitisation in several areas. By participating in various collaboration projects we help make the use of European airspace more efficient.

Facts about LFV
•    LFV is the air traffic controller at 16 airports/air bases and operates four control centres in Sweden.
•    LFV has more than 70 years’ experience and knowledge of air traffic control services and aviation safety.
•    40 years’ experience of integrating civil and military air traffic control services.
•    LFV is a state-owned enterprise.
•    99.9 per cent punctuality.
•    100 per cent achieved aviation safety goals.
•    LFV has 1,100 employees and had a turnover of SEK 3.1 billion in 2019.

Facts about LFV Aviation Research Center (LARC)
LFV is the principal for the establishment of the research arena LARC at Örnsköldsvik Airport. There, LFV conducts research in all areas of aviation with a focus on safety, sustainability, capacity, and cost-effectiveness. Once the local air traffic control services at Örnsköldsvik Airport had relocated, there was an opportunity to create a research arena in Örnsköldsvik. The airport has a fully equipped air traffic control tower, which is not in use. It is ideal for controlling and monitoring research.

Vattenfall Network Solutions develops and offers energy solutions for customers in, inter alia, industries and the transport sector. Power-as-a-Service is an energy solution where Vattenfall takes full financial and functional responsibility for charging infrastructure, batteries, and high-voltage installations on the customers' property. This includes, inter alia, investment, ownership, project management, electrical safety responsibility, and operation and maintenance responsibilities for the electric power plant.

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