June 5, 2021
Chiller plant optimization was infused in HVAC facilities and rooftop solar devices were installed in car parks and on buildings.
The Airport met 98 percent of its energy requirements from sustainable sources in FY2020-21.
In 2020, the Delhi airport achieved Level 4+ accreditation, and four airports qualified for Level 2 upgrade by ACA parameters.
The Government of India has outlined a renewable energy generation target of 450 gigawatts by 2030.
As per a statement by the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) the Kempegowda International Airport has successfully conserved close to 22 lakh kilowatts through the inclusion of renewable energy sources and measures to reduce power consumption in certain areas of operation. With this the Airport ensured net energy neutrality, an energy target for FY2020-21.
The achievement came about through the installation of provisions for chiller plant optimization in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) facilities, rooftop solar devices at car-parks and office buildings, and the open-access purchase of renewable energy sources. Thus, the Kempegowda International Airport was able to successfully derive 98 percent of its energy from sustainable sources for the aforementioned Financial Year.
The aviation sector in India has consistently endeavored to achieve sustainability targets and embrace renewable energy in as many areas of operation as possible. January 2020 saw the recognition of the Trivandrum International Airport, Biju Patnaik International Airport (Bhubaneswar), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata), and the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi) as eligible for Level 2: Reduction as per the standards of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program. The same year also saw the Level 4+ accreditation of the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport thereby setting a powerful precedent for airports in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is an internationally recognized sustainable energy certification programme for airports. Previously, the scale of accreditation had four levels namely : (i) Level 1: Mapping, (ii) Level 2: Reduction, (iii) Level 3: Optimisation, (iv) Level 3+ Neutrality. The current system has been expanded to a six-level scale that now includes the parameters of Transformation and Transition. Airports are required to utilize an ACA mandated mechanism to measure carbon emissions and work towards reducing carbon footprint bearing in mind the peculiarities of their respective local environment. Sustainability is a key policy priority of the Government of India with Prime Minister Modi having outlined a national renewable energy target of 450 gigawatts to be achieved in 2030. Transitioning out of a primary dependence on coal-based energy sources is an important focus area of sustainability endeavours.