San Diego International Airport (SAN) has become the first airport in the USA to install one of Engie Storage’s battery energy storage systems in a bid to further the airport’s long-term commitment to efficiency and sustainability.
The 2MW/4MWh GridSynergy energy storage system is paired with the airport’s existing photovoltaic solar system and will reduce energy charges during peak demand, which equate to approximately 40% of the airport’s monthly electricity costs. The system is expected to begin operation in early 2020.
“We are continuously exploring ways to operate more efficiently and reduce the airport’s carbon footprint as energy cost and demand rise,” said Kimberly Becker, SAN’s president/CEO. “This system becomes an important tool in that effort by helping to harness our on-site renewable energy opportunities and maximize their benefits well into the future.”
The GridSynergy cloud-based software will draw on past and present energy generation and usage data at the airport to calculate optimal charge and discharge cycles for the lithium-ion batteries. GridSynergy will continually learn and adapt to the airport’s energy needs over the next 10 years.
“San Diego International Airport is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint and energy storage is playing an important role in its success,” said Christopher Tilley, chief executive officer at Engie Storage. “This is an important milestone as more airports are shifting their attention to the over-arching benefits energy storage brings, especially paired with renewables and efficiency measures.”
