The Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), which is already partially powered by solar energy, is increasing the number of solar panels placed on its site by exploiting an adjacent property that was formerly used as a dump.
Now that it has been filled in, the 12 acres of land will be covered in solar energy that is capable of producing 4.7 megawatts.
This amount of energy is capable of wiping out 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise be produced by burning fossil fuels.
In addition, PIT already has its very own 23-megawatt solar and natural gas microgrid, which is a system that uses solar power to meet PIT’s demands, natural gas to make up the difference during peak hours or when the sun isn’t shining, and which transmits solar power that isn’t being used to local homes and businesses.
This endeavor will be supported by the newly constructed solar farm that is located on the former landfill. As a result, fewer cubic meters of gas will be burned, and more solar power will be distributed across the surrounding area.
“We’re maximizing the use of airport assets for the betterment of the region—from air service to real estate development to energy innovation,” PIT CEO Christina Cassotis stated. “And there’s more to come.”
The landfill solar farm would be operational in 2027 for individuals who were peering out their windows expecting to catch a sight of it, stated that “more” in this context refers to the future location of a mini-refinery for sustainable aviation fuel for the purpose of producing sustainable aviation fuel.
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As a flashpoint that encapsulates the importance of PIT’s microgrid, recent blackouts that shut down London Heathrow Airport and airports in Spain and Portugal are used as an example.
In addition to preventing such catastrophes, the microgrid saves the airport one million dollars in annual electrical expenditures.
