Airports are among the most energy-intensive infrastructures in modern cities. They operate continuously and require extremely high levels of reliability for safety-critical systems, lighting, communications and passenger services. At the same time, airport operators are under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.
One solution increasingly adopted is the development of on-site renewable generation combined with battery energy storage. Photovoltaic systems can cover a significant share of daytime electricity demand, while battery storage helps optimise renewable utilisation and supports the stability of the internal electricity network.
A representative example is the renewable energy programme implemented at Athens International Airport. The project includes a 51.5 MW photovoltaic installation combined with an approximately 82 MWh battery energy storage system integrated into the airport’s internal electricity network.
Experience from this project highlights several aspects that differentiate renewable energy deployment in airports from conventional solar projects. Aviation safety considerations are critical. Photovoltaic installations must not interfere with navigation systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or create glare that could affect pilots. As a result, the height, orientation and tilt of photovoltaic structures must comply with aviation safety requirements and be evaluated through dedicated studies.
In addition, a Technical Safeguarding Assessment of the possible impact that the battery containers may have on Airport Air Navigation Equipment (AANE) was implemented. Permitting procedures within airport areas also differ from typical renewable energy projects, requiring close coordination with airport authorities and aviation regulators.
The system was also designed as a self-consumption installation supplying electricity directly to the airport’s internal network. This requires optimisation for on-site consumption rather than electricity export, which changes the design logic of the system.
Finally, integrating large renewable energy systems into an existing airport electrical network requires careful engineering design to ensure reliability and operational safety. The experience demonstrates that large-scale renewable energy systems can be successfully implemented even in highly regulated infrastructure environments when technical design, regulatory coordination and operational integration are carefully addressed.
Key takeaway
Airport renewable projects are not conventional solar projects. They require aviation safety studies, self-consumption optimisation and careful integration with critical infrastructure operations.