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EcoGate: Reduce APU dependency without compromising turnaround operations

Turnarounds are under pressure. 

Gate support needs to keep up.

 

EcoGate helps create more stable and consistent gate operations by coordinating ground power, pre-conditioned air, and charging into one intelligent system.

 

Inconsistent gate support affects operations

Operational pressure at the gate is increasing.

  • Aircraft still rely on APUs when gate support is unavailable or inconsistent.
  • Delayed cooling and power impact turnaround efficiency and passenger comfort.
  • Electrification adds complexity to already busy gate operations.
  • Ground equipment charging competes with other systems for limited power capacity.

The result is increasing pressure on operations, staff, and the passenger experience.

itw gse dc charger

Electrification is changing gate operations

Airlines are expected to reduce emissions while maintaining efficient and predictable operations.

At the same time, airports are introducing more electrified infrastructure and equipment across the gate environment.

This creates new operational challenges:

  • More systems connected at the gate
  • Greater dependency on stable gate support
  • Increased pressure to reduce APU usage
  • Growing expectations around operational efficiency and passenger experience

EcoGate provides a way to support electrification while maintaining operational consistency.

More stable gate operations without adding complexity

EcoGate helps coordinate how power is used across the gate.

Instead of treating GPU, PCA, and eGSE charging as separate systems, EcoGate connects them into one shared setup and manages how available capacity is distributed.

This allows multiple systems to operate within the same power limit without compromising critical functions during turnaround.

the itw gse 7400 jetex battery driven located in the airport of charlotte in north carolina in the us. next to the jetex you see an aircraft and two ground handlers.

How power is coordinated at the gate

EcoGate brings ground power, pre-conditioned air, and charging together into one coordinated system across the gate.

Each unit is part of a shared setup where available power is continuously monitored and distributed based on operational priorities using intelligent power management.

EcoGate is a design approach where GSE units work together as a highly efficient system.

ecogate from itw gse

EcoGate is a design approach where GSE units work together as a highly efficient system.

ITW GSE Air Coil
ITW GSE 3500 Air Coil - Automatic PCA Hose Management System

3500 Air Coil

Protect your hoses and ensure safe operations with the ITW GSE 3500 Air Coil .

The Air Coil takes PCA hose management to the next level, delivering unmatched efficiency and sustainability at your gates.

As part of the EcoGate system, the Air Coil and high-performance hoses are engineered to work seamlessly with the 3500 PCA, optimizing the airflow right up to the aircraft inlet.

ITW GSE Hoses

At the core of the Air Coil’s exceptional performance are the new innovative SuperHose AirTight and SuperHose KinkFree.

Highly insulated and designed to prevent kinks, these advanced hoses reduce air leakage by 40%.

This improves the efficiency of the 3500 PCA by using less power from the mains supply, and in the EcoGate system this excess power can be allocated to other units.

2400 compact bridge mounted for ecogate
2400 ACR cable retriever

2400 400 Hz GPU

In an EcoGate system, the 2400 GPU always takes priority. ITW GSE 3500 PCA uses intelligent power management to monitor power consumption and then allocates power dynamically. Since your GPU is the most critical connection, the PCA always makes sure this unit gets the power it needs, adjusting its own consumption to ensure that your total gate power capacity is never exceeded.

2400 Power Coil

The 2400 Power Coil benefits from EcoGate by always receiving first-priority power. If the Power Coil experiences a sudden increase in consumption, and the total power demand exceeds what is available, Intelligent Power Management temporarily ‘borrows’ power from your 3500 PCA to meet the need. The gate’s total power capacity is never exceeded.

2400 Cable Retriever

The 2400 Automatic Cable Retriever (ACR) is part of EcoGate, ITW GSE’s high-efficiency system of ground support units that work together. By linking your ITW GSE units together, you can unlock new efficiencies and remove power-related barriers to affordable progress at the gate.

common design platform

Common Design Platform

Our common design platform includes an intuitive icon-based operator interface and shared modular design for optimal service and repair.

3500 pca to ecogate
stepless regulation 3500 itw gse 800 x 550

3500 PCA

Beyond stand-alone operation, the 3500 PCA is designed to integrate seamlessly into a coordinated gate system built on electrification, power sharing, data sharing, and technical synergy. It hosts several EcoGate technologies such as Intelligent Power Management and Automated Aircraft Type Detection.

Stepless Regulation of your PCA

The 3500 PCA design includes updated VFD technology that allows for easy, stepless regulation of the discharge temperature. This means that the 3500 supplies exactly the right amount of cold air, never more.

Modular design of your PCA

The ITW GSE 3500 PCA is a truly modular PCA. It is designed around interchangeable cooling modules that are easy to swap by a technician with no special refrigeration skills and in 20 minutes only. This helps keep aircraft turn-arounds on schedule.

EcoGate Automated Aircraft Type Detection

Automated Aircraft Type Detection

The 3500 PCA uses aircraft ID data from VDGS, BMS and similar systems to deliver optimal air flow to each individual aircraft.

power share on 3500 pca

Power Share

Charge your high voltage GSE by connecting the DC Charger with the ITW GSE 2400 GPU. The GPU will control how much power the DC Charger has available, and you do not need to upgrade your existing infrastructure. Available with one or two outlets of 60 kW (CCS1 or CCS2).

itw gse dc charger

ITW GSE DC Charger

Charge your high voltage GSE with the ITW GSE DC Charger. The charger is available with one or two outlets of 60 kW (CCS2) and can be connected to an ITW GSE 2400 GPU, which will control how much power the charger has available. This means you do not need to upgrade your existing infrastructure.

ipm Intelligent power management ecogate 7400 eGPU

Intelligent Power Management

Hosted in the 3500 PCA, Intelligent Power Management lets airports utilize power infrastructure smarter. It allocates power to other units dynamically, while ensuring that you never exceed your available power capacity.

ITW GSE EcoGate installation image from venice airport

EcoGate

Moving beyond individual units, EcoGate integrates GSE equipment into a system. An ecosystem, where new efficiencies emerge as units work together to share power and work smarter and a system that enables airports to make improvements they could not make affordably before.

7400 egpu in france

7400 eGPU

Deploying EcoGate solutions like the ITW GSE Power or DC Charger enables you to charge your 7400 eGPU using your existing power infrastructure and avoid costly upgrades and disruptive ground works.

EcoGate isn’t just a product, it’s a statement of intent

"It’s more than just power sharing, it’s a total gate solution that future-proofs infrastructure and supports airports in achieving their environmental goals."

Alberto Rocha, Sales Director for the Americas

More consistent turnaround support

EcoGate is designed to support stable and predictable gate operations under increasing operational pressure.

Reduce unnecessary APU usage

Reliable access to GPU and PCA makes it easier to reduce reliance on onboard auxiliary power during turnaround.

Improve passenger and crew comfort at the gate

Stable pre-conditioned air helps maintain cabin comfort during boarding, deboarding, and turnaround operations.

Support operational consistency

Ground power, PCA, and charging operate within the same coordinated setup, reducing operational interruptions caused by limited capacity.

Prepare operations for increasing electrification

Introduce charging and electrified equipment without disrupting critical gate functions.

Simplify ramp operations

Motorized hose and cable management reduces manual handling, minimizes clutter around the aircraft, and supports safer and more efficient ramp operations.

 

Want a broader overview of EcoGate? Explore the full EcoGate solution.

One gate. One power pool. Multiple systems.

EcoGate continuously monitors and distributes power across all connected equipment at the gate using intelligent power management.

  • Aircraft power is always prioritized
  • Cooling adjusts based on available capacity
  • Charging uses remaining power without exceeding limits
  • All systems operate within the same power limit
ipm Intelligent power management ecogate 7400 eGPU

From isolated systems to coordinated operations

Traditional gate setups are often built around separate systems competing for the same limited power.

This can lead to:

  • Operational bottlenecks
  • Delayed turnaround support
  • Increased APU dependency
  • Inconsistent availability of gate services

EcoGate changes that dynamic by allowing you to coordinate how power is used across the gate instead of letting systems compete for it.

passenger boarding bridge in an airport. the bridge is connected to an aircraft and under the bridge is mounted a pca and on the side of the bridge is mounted a power coil

Want more information?

EcoGate in practice: the components at the gate

EcoGate is not a single product, but a coordinated setup of technologies and equipment working together at the gate.

Below are examples of the units that typically form part of an EcoGate solution.

Let’s talk about your gate operations

EcoGate starts with understanding how your current gate setup supports daily turnaround operations.

By identifying how power is used across the gate today, it becomes possible to improve operational consistency and prepare for increased electrification.