Powering An Airport: Megawatts Required To Take Off

Solar panels are an increasingly popular way to power airports. Over 100 airports worldwide use solar panels to produce energy, and in 2015, Cochin International Airport in Kerala, India, became the first airport to be entirely powered by solar energy. The airport uses 46,000 solar panels to produce 12 megawatts of power, which is more than enough to run the airport's operations. In 2024, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City began construction on a 12-megawatt energy system, which will be the largest solar array in the city and at any airport in the US.

JFK's Terminal One: 12-megawatt energy system

JFK's Terminal One is set to be powered by a 12-megawatt energy system, which will be the largest airport solar array in the US. The terminal's roof will be covered with 13,000 solar panels, spanning an area of nearly seven football fields. This is part of a $19 billion plan to transform JFK into a green, world-class global gateway, including the construction of two new terminals.

The 12-megawatt energy system is a microgrid that will distribute electric energy from solar, fuel cells, and batteries through a localized and self-contained energy system. This microgrid will consist of four clusters of electrical generation infrastructure, including 6.63 megawatts of solar power, 3.84 megawatts of fuel cells, and 1.5 megawatts/3.34 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage. The microgrid will be able to operate independently from or connected to the main power grid, providing power for half of the terminal's daily operations.

The microgrid will also recover heat from the fuel cells to generate hot and chilled water for the terminal. This innovative design will create a single smart, resilient energy system that will set an industry example for others, according to Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole. The system aligns with the Port Authority's sustainability goals, which include reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

The construction and operation of the microgrid are being handled by AlphaStruxure, which is financing the project through an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) contract. This ensures predictable operating costs and guaranteed performance without upfront capital expenditures for the Port Authority. AlphaStruxure's parent companies, Schneider Electric and Carlyle, are providing financing, microgrid technology, controls, software, and services for the project.

JFK's Terminal One: 6.63-megawatt solar array

JFK's Terminal One is set to feature a 6.63-megawatt solar array as part of its 12-megawatt energy system. The solar array will be comprised of 13,000 solar panels covering the terminal's roof, which alone will span an area the size of six and a half football fields. The solar array will be part of a microgrid that will also include 3.84 megawatts of fuel cells and 1.5 megawatts/3.34 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage. This microgrid will distribute electric energy from solar, fuel cells, and batteries through a localised and self-contained energy system, providing power for the terminal's daily operations.

The solar array and the larger microgrid system are integral components of JFK's efforts to transform the airport into a green, world-class global gateway. By incorporating on-site power using a green energy source, the airport aims to reduce its carbon footprint and move towards net-zero emissions. The microgrid will also increase the airport's resilience by providing a single smart, resilient energy system that can operate independently from or connected to the main power grid.

The 6.63-megawatt solar array is expected to generate enough electricity to power half of the everyday operations of Terminal One, which is anticipated to serve around 30 international carriers. This amount of energy is roughly equivalent to the power needed for more than 3,500 average US homes. The solar array will be the largest in New York City and the largest at any airport terminal in the country, setting an industry example for others to follow.

The construction of JFK's Terminal One and its solar array is a significant step towards sustainability and innovation in airport design. With a planned opening in mid-2026, Terminal One will showcase a unique and innovative solution to reducing carbon emissions and advancing the state and city's ambitious decarbonisation goals.

JFK's Terminal One: 3.84-megawatt fuel cells

JFK International Airport's Terminal One is set to host the largest airport microgrid in the United States. The microgrid will be able to power half of the terminal's daily operations and is part of the Port Authority's sustainability goals, which include reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

The 12-megawatt microgrid will comprise solar, fuel cells, and battery energy storage. The solar array on the terminal's roof is part of this 12-megawatt microgrid, distributing electric energy from solar, fuel cells, and batteries through a localized and self-contained energy system. This microgrid will include 3.84 megawatts of fuel cells, which will be located in four clusters of electrical generation infrastructure around the new terminal to create a single smart, resilient energy system.

The microgrid design comprises four smaller microgrids that work as a single digital system. One of these microgrids will be located at ground level, while the other parts, such as the raceways for the cables that interconnect the solar panels to electrical houses, will be on the roof. This design is expected to make the Terminal One microgrid especially resilient, and each system can function self-sufficiently with sources of generation, storage, automation, and control.

The microgrid will recover heat from the fuel cells to generate chilled water and hot water, and its capacity generates enough electricity to power half of the terminal's daily operations. The clean technology aligns with the Port Authority's aggressive sustainability goals and will help to reduce the generation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change at Terminal One.

JFK's Terminal One: 1.5-megawatt battery energy storage

JFK's Terminal One is set to be the largest terminal at Kennedy Airport. Construction is underway to make it the most sustainable airport terminal in the country, with a 12-megawatt energy system that will power its daily operations.

The terminal will feature a solar array of more than 13,000 solar panels on the roof, covering an area of around six and a half football fields. This will be the largest solar array in New York City and the largest at any airport terminal in the country. The solar array will generate 6.63 megawatts of power, which is part of a 12-megawatt microgrid that will distribute electric energy from solar, fuel cells, and batteries.

The microgrid will also include 3.84 megawatts of fuel cells and 1.5 megawatts of battery energy storage, with a capacity of 3.34 megawatt-hours. This will be located in four clusters of electrical generation infrastructure around the new terminal, creating a single smart, resilient energy system. The microgrid will recover heat from the fuel cells to generate chilled water and hot water for the terminal.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is building the terminal, has made sustainability a major priority. The solar array is a significant step towards reducing the airport's carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The clean technology aligns with the Port Authority's sustainability goals, which include reaching net-zero emissions and requiring greener operations from airport operators and airlines.

The 1.5-megawatt battery energy storage system is a crucial component of JFK Terminal One's sustainable energy infrastructure. It will enable the terminal to store excess energy generated by the solar panels and fuel cells, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for its operations. This energy storage system will enhance the terminal's energy resilience and contribute to its overall sustainability goals.

JFK's Terminal One: $19 billion plans for green transformation

JFK's Terminal One has unveiled plans for a $19 billion green transformation, aiming to create a world-class gateway to New York and the United States. The project, scheduled for completion in 2030, will see the construction of a new terminal, the expansion and modernisation of two existing terminals, and improvements to ground transportation and roadway networks.

The New Terminal One is at the heart of this transformation, with a capital commitment of $9.5 billion, making it the country's largest public-private partnership and the largest single-asset project financing in US history. The new terminal will be built on the sites currently occupied by Terminals 1, 2, and 3, with construction taking place in phases. The first phase, including new arrivals and departures halls and 14 new gates, is set to open in 2026.

The full project will offer a total of 23 gates across a 2.6 million square foot facility, with more than 300,000 square feet of retail, dining, and lounge space. This new terminal will be a state-of-the-art, international-only facility, featuring expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and a range of amenities designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with the world's best airport terminals.

The project's green credentials are also noteworthy, with a focus on sustainability and a commitment to diverse participation. The New Terminal One consortium, led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle, has ambitious goals for local inclusion, labour participation, and the creation of opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. The project has also successfully concluded a $2.55 billion Green Bond issuance, the largest municipal bond financing for an airport project, with 40% of the underwriting syndicate allocated to designated minority and women-owned business enterprises.

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