Christina Cassotis, the chief executive of Pittsburgh International Airport, reflected on the chaos caused by a recent power outage at London’s Heathrow Airport, emphasizing the challenges faced by airport workers during such incidents. In contrast, her response to outages at her own airport is to maintain composure and resilience.
For nearly four years, Pittsburgh International Airport has utilized a microgrid system powered by on-site natural gas generators and solar panels, which has reportedly saved the airport around $1 million annually in energy costs. Cassotis stated that this system enhances the airport's operational resilience, allowing it to function independently of the external electric grid.
This level of energy independence is uncommon among larger airports, which typically rely on backup generators for essential functions during power outages. However, these generators often require refueling during prolonged outages, leading many airports to remain dependent on external power sources.
In light of rising disruptions due to climate change and aging infrastructure, U.S. airports are increasingly exploring on-site electricity generation and storage, primarily through solar power and batteries. Denver International Airport has implemented a solar-powered battery storage system to ensure the operation of its underground trains during emergencies. Similarly, New York's Kennedy International Airport is undergoing a $19 billion renovation that includes plans for solar panels and batteries to enhance its resilience and reduce emissions.
Power outages at airports are a significant concern, with a recent report identifying 321 outages lasting at least five minutes at various U.S. airports from 2015 to 2022. Natural disasters linked to climate change further threaten airport operations, as evidenced by the increase in costly weather events over recent decades.
The impetus for Pittsburgh International Airport's microgrid initiative was a 2017 power outage caused by an electrical fire at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which disrupted flights nationwide. Following this event, Cassotis and her team began investigating the feasibility of establishing a microgrid.
The airport, located above the natural gas deposits of the Marcellus Shale, sought proposals to design and operate a microgrid without upfront costs. By July 2021, the microgrid was operational, generating 23 megawatts of energy, with excess power sold back to the grid. This initiative has not only provided financial savings but has also significantly reduced carbon emissions.
The microgrid has proven beneficial during recent power disruptions. For instance, while Heathrow experienced a closure due to a fire at an electric substation, Pittsburgh's airport successfully disconnected from problematic power feeds and continued operations without interruption.
In addition to resilience, airports are motivated to pursue on-site electricity generation to address their carbon footprints, as the aviation sector accounts for 2 to 3 percent of global emissions. The shift towards solar energy can support the electrification of airport vehicles and services.
Denver International Airport is equipped with two dedicated electric substations for redundancy, while New York's Port Authority is integrating sustainability with resilience in its airport projects. The inclusion of solar panels, fuel cells, and batteries at Kennedy's Terminal 1 aims to enhance operational continuity during outages.
While ambitious projects like these are currently limited, interest is growing, supported by federal grants for exploring renewable energy options. Airport officials are increasingly consulting with early adopters of solar panels and microgrids to inform their initiatives.