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Pathway

Smart energy airport

Within RHIA we are exploring smart airport energy systems that can meet both today’s operational needs and tomorrow’s growing demand, using sustainable solutions tested directly at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. By combining electrification, intelligent energy management and strong regional infrastructure links, we are shaping a cleaner, more resilient airport energy future.

Future‑ready airport energy systems

Our focus is developing a comprehensive energy management system that addresses both current and future energy demands by exploring and implementing sustainable energy solutions with RTHA as an operational testing ground.

Our topics

We are advancing the airport’s transition to sustainable aviation by focusing on key developments that strengthen both operational reliability and future energy resilience. Current topics in our ecosystem highlight how electrification, smart energy systems, and regional infrastructure interdependencies come together to shape the airport energy system of tomorrow.

Electrification infrastructure

Electrification infrastructure

Research and tests charging systems and grid solutions in the live RTHA fieldlab to support future electric aircraft and ground operations.
Energy Management Systems

Energy Management Systems

Focuses on smart systems that balance energy supply and demand at RTHA, enabling cleaner, more reliable airport operations.
Infrastructure interdependencies in the region

Infrastructure interdependencies in the region

Studies how RTHA’s energy needs interact with regional networks, identifying how airport and surrounding infrastructure can evolve together toward a sustainable energy system.

Smart energy airport projects

Our current projects focus on electrification infrastructure, smart energy management and the interaction between airport and regional energy networks. Together, these topics reveal how the Smart Energy Airport of tomorrow can take shape — and invite you to discover the projects driving this transition.

Airport Technology Lab/Digital simulation & data platforms
Electrification infrastructure
Energy Management Systems
Fieldlab Next Aviation

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

The BESS Project tests how a Battery Energy Storage System performs in a live airport setting at RTHA. By evaluating different operational strategies — from peak shaving to renewable integration — the project demonstrates how large‑scale storage can possibly stabilize the airport’s energy system and reduce emissions.
Airport Technology Lab/Digital simulation & data platforms
Energy Management Systems

Digital Twin

The Digital Twin project builds a virtual replica of the airport’s energy ecosystem, grounded in real‑time data from the RTHA fieldlab. This digital environment allows partners to simulate energy flows, test innovations safely and plan infrastructure investments with greater precision.
DutcH2 Aviation Hub
Energy Management Systems
Fieldlab Next Aviation

Energy System

The Energy System project develops and tests large‑scale batteries and electrolysers directly in the RTHA fieldlab environment. The aim is to understand how (hydrogen) production, energy storage and flexible consumption can support cleaner airport operations and provide resilience during peak loads.
Airport Technology Lab/Digital simulation & data platforms
Electrification infrastructure
Energy Management Systems

Smart Grid and Energy Balance

The Smart Grid & Energy Balance project uses the operational airport environment at RTHA as a fieldlab to test how energy flows can be intelligently shared between the airport, local users and external suppliers. By coordinating generation, storage and demand, the project explores how an airport can function as an active, flexible node in the regional energy system.
Air quality improvement
Automated systems
Aviation on (E-)SAF
Battery electric aviation
CO2 reduction
DutcH2 Aviation Hub
Electrification infrastructure
Innovation Route
Noise reduction

Your project?

There is always room for new ideas and initiatives that strengthen the innovation ecosystem around the operational fieldlab at RTHA. Through Future Check‑in we welcome organisations to explore whether their ambitions align with our mission. Those who become partners join an ideation session with other interested parties, where we shape concepts into concrete collaboration projects that can be tested and developed in the live airport environment.

Pathway lead

Ariana de Almeida

Executive Board Member RHIA and Pricing Lead at Shell Aviation

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