Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has achieved net energy neutral status in the Financial Year 2020-21.
As part of its sustainability goals, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) had set the target to become Net Energy Neutral by 2020-21.
As an outcome of energy conservation, BIAL has been able to save nearly 22 lakh units of energy in the FY 2020-21, which is enough to power about 9,000 houses for a month.
BIAL saved about 5 lakh units (KWH) from lighting and has implemented chiller plant optimisation in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), which has resulted in saving of over 17 lakh units (KWH).
Renewable Energy push
BLR Airport in the Financial Year 2021-22 met 98 percent of its energy requirement of 20-21 through renewable sources.
“As we expand our operations at BLR Airport, we aim to remain the flagbearer of sustainable operations. We have put in place various measures to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our environment. Energy security is a very important aspect of our business as it is one of the key indicators to assess our sustainability levels,” said Hari Marar, MD & CEO, BIAL.
BIAL’s Energy Management initiative is focused on achieving carbon neutrality through the use of renewable, green, and clean energy.
BLR Airport has achieved energy-neutral status since December 2020 through its onsite solar installations as well as Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) from solar and wind energy suppliers.
BIAL has multiple measures in place to make BLR Airport environmentally efficient, with sustainability being the key pillar for all its operations to ensure the integrity of economic viability, operational excellence, and conservation of natural resources.
In an effort to become energy neutral, BLR Airport has increased the consumption from solar power to over 50 million units through on-site and off-site Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
In addition, BIAL has entered into a PPA agreement for the purchase of additional 20 Million units of Wind Power through Open Access from January 2020, the authorities said.
Led Adoption
The streetlights, perimeter lighting, and airfield lights at BLR Airport have been converted to LED lighting. All this has further reduced the dependency on non-renewable energy.
The entire aircraft parking stands have been converted into energy-efficient LEDs by using 400 High-Pressure Sodium Vapour Lamps (HPSV) to provide enhanced safety for pilots, greater visibility for ground staff, and reduced energy consumption.
The newly commissioned South Runway Airfield Ground Lighting is powered with LED lights, making it the first airfield in India to be fully powered with an LED lighting system.
The recently refurbished North Runway is also powered with LED Airfield Ground Lighting. The solar installations, deployed across 53,600 sq. m. on the Airside, will help BLR Airport save 37.5 lakh units of electricity annually, reducing its dependency on non-renewable sources of energy.
This will also result in an overall reduction in carbon emissions, the authorities added.