Federal Aviation Administration Vertiport Electrical Infrastructure Study

This white paper by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) analyzes the potential impacts of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft charging infrastructure at vertiports. It considers data collected from key original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and potential vertiport locations to establish a foundation for future work in this emerging field.

The white paper finds that introducing eVTOL aircraft at vertiports will necessitate increasing electric power services and changing infrastructure sizing approaches. Peak DC charging loads reported by OEMs range from 300 kW to 1 MW. NREL recommends a 1 MW or higher vertiports plan to align deployment speed with utility upgrade timelines.

The white paper analyzes grid impacts, on-site generation opportunities, greenhouse gas emissions, jobs and economic development, and hazards at hypothetical vertiport sites, including airports, a hospital, a parking garage, and a heliport. Grid impact analysis found that increased charging demand can cause undervoltage and overload distribution lines and transformers, requiring upgrades or energy storage. On-site solar and battery storage showed potential economic savings.

Greenhouse gas emissions were calculated based on each site's energy mix with and without eVTOL charging. Emissions could be reduced by optimizing eVTOL charging timing and solar+storage. Grid expansion, charging infrastructure, and microgrid investments were found to add millions to local GDP and create significant construction and O&M jobs. Environmental, human, and technological hazards were also analyzed to inform site selection and mitigation practices.

The white paper is limited by data received and assumptions made but establishes a foundation for significant future work analyzing eVTOL charging impacts under various strategies, scenarios, and use cases. Close coordination between utilities, sites, OEMs, and stakeholders will enable eVTOL integration.