ITW GSE unveils set of technologies that enable individual ground support units

ITW GSE has launched a set of technologies that enables individual ground support units such as GPUs, PCAs, charging stations and even aircraft detection systems to all work together.

Dubbed EcoGate, the solution was developed to help airports achieve efficiencies that can only be realised by linking gate equipment into an integrated, intelligent system.

The central EcoGate technology is ITW GSE’s Intelligent Power Management (IPM), which is available as an option on the company’s new 3500 PCA unit. With IPM, all ITW GSE equipment can be powered from a single power line running from the gate’s power supply to the 3500 PCA. From there, IPM allocates power dynamically to the different units – always prioritising the needs of GPUs, while ensuring that total power capacity is not exceeded. By managing power allocation in this way, EcoGate enables airports to upgrade or add new gate equipment without having to install costly new power infrastructure.

Division director of R&D, Bo Vork Nielsen said: “Airports want to improve their gate technology, but many are held back because of limited power capacity and the high cost of installing new infrastructure. Because most GPUs, PCAs and similar units are designed to always accommodate peak loads, these units operate with 35–50% surplus capacity on average. Thanks to IPM, EcoGate takes advantage of this surplus to power additional or upgraded equipment – always prioritising the needs of GPUs and without exceeding a preset limit on total power consumption.