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Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Reduction

An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle whose purpose is to provide energy for functions other than propulsion. Different types of APU are found on aircraft, as well as on some large ground vehicles. They are usually diesel powered. Gate installation of 400 Hz power and preconditioned air units reduce the use of aircraft auxiliary power units (APUs), greatly reducing emissions.

APUs In the News

UPS was recently featured in an industry publication for its environmental initiatives.

Read the story

In late 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction National Program selected UPS for an award of $473,939 to reduce particulate matter generated by diesel engines at the company’s Worldport^SM global all-points air hub.

The EPA funding was disbursed to the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, which in turn distributed the monies to the UPS Airlines.  The grant will fund two projects to reduce particulate matter:  the replacement of diesel engines in ground support cargo tugs and the extension of ground electricity to parked aircraft. 

In the first project, UPS will replace diesel engines in 92 tugs with much cleaner gasoline engines.  Since the particulate matter emissions are nearly zero for the new engines, replacing the diesel engines will have the net effect of removing 5.3 tons of particulate matter per year from the air. 

In the second project, UPS will install electric units to power aircraft parked at Worldport, allowing them to avoid the use of 26 diesel generators.  Although commercial electrical power does require burning fuel at a power plant, removing the diesel generators from the airport will eliminate 2.2 tons of particulate matter per year in Louisville.

These two projects are the latest contributions toward UPS’s comprehensive sustainability strategy.  The company’s Louisville-based airline division has undertaken extensive efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption, minimize noise and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing flight routes and speeds, managing aircraft dispatch and taxi times, shutting down unneeded engines for taxiing and experimenting with alternative fuels in ground support vehicles.