GSE Charging & Energy Management for Airports

As electric GSE fleets grow, charging becomes part of daily airport operations.

Airports need to keep electric ground support equipment available, avoid charging queues, and manage limited power capacity across gates, stands, and service areas.

This page explains how coordinated charging and energy management can help airports scale electric GSE without creating new operational bottlenecks.

What is a GSE charging station?

A GSE charging station provides electrical power for battery-powered ground support equipment. Depending on the charging standard and the equipment being used, this can include electric pushback tractors, eGPUs, and other compatible electric GSE.

For airports, airlines, and ground handlers, the question is therefore not only 'which GSE charger do we need?', as it is also 'where should charging take place?', 'what type of power is available?', and 'how can charging fit into daily operations?'.

itw gse power share ground mounted on an airport apron

What types of ground support equipment can a GSE charger support?

Electric GSE fleets can contain different equipment from different manufacturers, which makes charging compatibility an important consideration.

A charging strategy should support the equipment operating at the airport - not require the entire fleet to come from one manufacturer.

Our DC Charger is not limited to charging ITW GSE equipment only. With the appropriate charging connection, it can also be used for compatible electric ground support equipment such as electric pushback tractors.

Based on ITW GSE’s experience with gate equipment and electric GSE charging

We work with ground power, pre-conditioned air, charging and power management for airport operations, and we have done so for decades.

This page explains how charging can be planned as part of daily gate and apron operations using solutions such as Power Share, EcoGate, DC Charger, and Intelligent Power Management.

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How do we avoid GSE charging bottlenecks?

GSE charging bottlenecks can be reduced by placing charging closer to operations and coordinating charging with available power capacity.

Charging bottlenecks often occur when too many units compete for the same charging infrastructure at the same time. This can create waiting time, congestion and reduced GSE availability.

To reduce charging bottlenecks, airports typically focus on gate-level charging, opportunity charging during idle periods, and coordinated power usage across charging, GPU and PCA.

ITW GSE supports this approach through solutions such as Power Share and integrated charging concepts within EcoGate.

See how Power Share supports GSE charging Explore integrated gate operations with EcoGate

Overview of charging and energy management challenges

Challenge	What it means in practice	What to consider first	Read more
Charging bottlenecks	Too many GSE units competing for the same chargers during peak periods	Move charging closer to operations and use opportunity charging	Charging bottlenecks EcoGate
Limited gate power capacity	GPUs, PCA and charging may compete for available gate-level power	Prioritize aircraft-critical systems and coordinate loads	Power Share DC Charger
Simultaneous peak demand	Charging several units simultaneously can increase peak load and overload risk	Coordinate charging with operational demand and idle periods	EcoGate Intelligent Power management
Mixed gate and remote stand operations	Charging infrastructure may not support all operational areas equally	Combine fixed charging with flexible and mobile charging setups	Power Share DC Charger
Uncoordinated charging rollout	Chargers may be installed without alignment to operational workflows	Start with operational needs and scale charging progressively	Avoid charging bottlenecks EcoGate

Can charging be integrated into gate operations?

Yes. GSE charging can be integrated into gate operations when charging, GPU, and PCA are coordinated as one system.

At many airports, aircraft support systems and GSE charging depend on the same available power. If these loads are not coordinated, charging can compete with turnaround-critical functions.

A coordinated gate setup allows aircraft power and PCA to remain the priority, while charging uses available capacity when operational demand allows.

The ITW GSE EcoGate concept is designed around this type of system-based gate operation.

Explore integrated gate operations with EcoGate View DC charging solutions for electric GSE See how Power Share supports GSE charging

Why is GSE charging becoming an operational challenge?

Electric GSE fleets create new power demand across the airport, and the challenge is not only installing chargers.

It is making sure equipment is charged where and when it is needed, without creating queues, downtime, or unnecessary towing across the apron.

Working with GSE charging, airports need to consider:

Where charging should take place
How much power is available
Which equipment needs first-priority
How charging affects turnaround operations

Without a clear charging strategy, electrification can create new operational bottlenecks instead of reducing them.

View DC charging solutions for electric GSE See how Power Share supports GSE charging

How can airports use existing power more efficiently?

Airports can use existing power more efficiently by coordinating loads and sharing available capacity between connected equipment.

In many cases, the challenge is not only total grid capacity — but how power is used during daily operations.

To improve energy utilization, airports often focus on:

Avoiding simultaneous peak demand
Prioritizing aircraft-critical systems
Sharing unused capacity between equipment
Coordinating charging with operational demand

ITW GSE Power Share supports this approach by enabling available gate power to be used for charging electric GSE when capacity is available.

See how Power Share supports GSE charging

When and where should GSE be charged?

GSE should be charged where it creates the least operational disruption and where the equipment is already operating.

For some airports, centralized charging will remain useful for planned or overnight charging. For others, gate-level or remote stand charging can reduce towing, improve availability and support opportunity charging during natural idle periods.

The right setup depends on traffic flow, available power, gate layout and how the equipment is used throughout the day.

Feel free to reach out to our Sales team for a chat about your needs for charging.

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What should you consider when planning GSE charging?

Before selecting charging equipment, it is useful to understand:

which electric GSE needs to be charged
which charging standards the equipment supports
where the equipment is normally parked or used
how much electrical capacity is available in the given locations
when the equipment can be charged during the operating day
whether existing gate power can also form part of the charging strategy
how the charging requirement may develop as more GSE becomes electric

We have worked with ground power and airport electrical systems for decades, and we use that experience when discussing how charging can fit into real airport operations.

Which charging setup fits your airport operation?

Situation	What to consider	Relevant ITW GSE solution
Too much equipment is waiting for chargers	Move charging closer to daily operations	Power Share EcoGate
Gate power is shared between GPU, PCA and charging	Coordinate and prioritize available power	Intelligent Power Management Power Share
Equipment is charged far from where it is used	Reduce towing and support opportunity charging	DC Charger
The airport has both gates and remote stands	Combine fixed and flexible charging options	DC Charger Power Share

How do charging bottlenecks affect GSE availability?

Charging bottlenecks reduce GSE availability because equipment may spend time waiting, towing, or charging away from operations.

This can affect:

Equipment readiness during peak periods
Turnaround efficiency
Apron traffic and congestion
Overall fleet utilization

A strong charging strategy focuses not only on charger installation — but on keeping GSE available where and when it is needed.

Martin Walsted with the DC Charger at an exhibition

What is the difference between centralized charging and gate-level charging?

Centralized charging places chargers in dedicated charging areas, while gate-level charging places charging closer to daily operations.

Centralized charging can work well for planned or overnight charging. Gate-level charging supports opportunity charging closer to where equipment is used.

Many airports combine both approaches to reduce towing, improve GSE availability and support different operational scenarios.

The right setup depends on traffic flow, infrastructure and operational priorities.

The system approach of EcoGate lets you combine your GSE to suite your many different daily operations.

EcoGate - a gate system approach

Why does energy management matter for electric GSE fleets?

Energy management helps airports coordinate charging demand across gates, stands and operational areas.

As electric GSE fleets grow, simultaneous charging can increase peak load and place pressure on existing infrastructure.

Energy management helps airports:

Prioritize critical loads
Reduce overload risk
Coordinate charging with gate operations
Use existing infrastructure more efficiently

This becomes increasingly important when charging operates alongside GPUs, PCA systems and other gate equipment.

The ITW GSE Intelligent Power Management (IPM) is a system designed to prioritize the GPU all while the PCA is still running.

Learn about Intelligent Power Management (IPM)

From charging equipment to charging strategy

Scaling electric GSE is not only about installing chargers.

It is about building a charging strategy that supports daily operations.

A strong charging strategy considers:

Where equipment operates
When equipment is available
Aircraft support requirements
Future electrification growth
Available infrastructure capacity

This helps airports reduce operational pressure while scaling electric GSE in a controlled way.

itw gse power share charger at the apron next to an aircraft and a 7400 battery driven ground power unit

Plan GSE charging as part of airport operations

Electric GSE charging works best when it is planned as part of the overall gate and apron operation.

Charging should be coordinated with aircraft turnaround, GPU and PCA demand, equipment availability and infrastructure capacity.

A coordinated approach can help airports reduce charging bottlenecks, improve operational reliability and scale electrification more efficiently.

The ITW GSE EcoGate system helps airports evaluate how charging, power sharing and coordinated gate operations can support long-term electrification goals.

Ground Power Units Pre-Conditioned Air units EcoGate - a gate system approach

How Power Share, EcoGate, and Intelligent Power Management work together

EcoGate is ITW GSE’s system approach to smarter gate electrification. Instead of looking at GPUs, PCAs, chargers, cables, and power infrastructure as separate units, EcoGate brings them together in one coordinated setup where power is used where it creates the most operational value.

Power Share and Intelligent Power Management both support this system approach.

Together, they help airports get more out of the power they already have. EcoGate provides the overall system thinking. Intelligent Power Management helps coordinate power use at the gate, while Power Share makes it possible to turn available excess capacity into practical charging opportunities.

The result is a more flexible, efficient, and scalable way to electrify gate operations - often without the need for major infrastructure upgrades.

Power Share EcoGate - a system approach Intelligent Power Management

How do airports avoid GSE charging bottlenecks?

Airports can avoid GSE charging bottlenecks by placing charging closer to operations, using opportunity charging, and coordinating charging with available power capacity.

The ITW GSE Power Share lets you charge your eGSE inbetween the turnarounds at the point of use of your eGSE.

When should GSE be charged?

GSE should be charged when it causes the least disruption to daily operations, including during idle periods, turnaround windows or overnight charging.

Can GSE charging be integrated into gate operations?

Yes. GSE charging can be integrated into gate operations when aircraft power, PCA and charging are coordinated within the same power environment.

Check out the EcoGate system to see how charging can be integrated in the gate operations.

What is opportunity charging for GSE?

Opportunity charging means charging electric GSE during natural idle periods instead of waiting for a dedicated charging cycle.

How can airports charge electric GSE without overloading infrastructure?

Airports can reduce overload risk by coordinating loads, prioritizing aircraft-critical equipment and avoiding simultaneous peak demand.

What role does Power Share play in GSE charging?

Power Share allows available power from selected gate equipment to be used for charging electric GSE when capacity is available.

What role does EcoGate play in charging and energy management?

EcoGate supports a system-based approach where charging, PCA, GPUs and power availability are coordinated across the gate.

What is a GSE charger?

A GSE charger is charging equipment used to recharge battery-powered ground support equipment. The appropriate charger depends on the equipment, its charging interface, and the available electrical supply.

GSE Charging and Energy Management for Electric Airport Operations