How India’s Government Promotes the Use of Green Energy at Airports.
In order to make both domestic and international airports more sustainable, the Indian government announced that it is actively pushing the use of green energy. Additionally, it is working with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport operators to construct green energy-generation machinery so that all of their energy needs can be met by renewable sources.
Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd), Minister of State for Civil Aviation, responded to a question in the Indian parliament by saying:
“The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has taken initiatives for working towards Carbon neutrality and achieving net zero carbon emission at airports throughout the nation. In addition, MoCA has organized knowledge-sharing sessions to standardize the Carbon Accounting and Reporting framework of Indian Airports and to raise awareness about reducing climate change. Additionally, airport operators with scheduled activities have been urged to map their airports’ carbon emissions and make gradual progress toward carbon neutrality and net zero emissions.
Solar energy is the future
The Indian aviation sector is currently supported by more than 400 airports, airstrips, and aerodromes. In addition, 220 more are anticipated to be constructed in the following three years. 137 of the current airports are run by the AAI, and the majority of the remaining facilities are under the management of private parties and airport holding organizations. The Indian government nevertheless forces all businesses to obtain or produce energy from renewable sources.
Although there are several “green” ways to generate energy, quite a few airports in India have chosen solar power as their preferred option. Although less frequently than solar, other renewable energy sources including hydropower and wind power are also being used.
This is due to the fact that solar energy appears like a natural choice because most places in the south Asian nation enjoy a plentiful supply of sunlight throughout the year.
There are now 55 airports with specialized solar plants installed in different Indian states and Union Territories. The list contains important international airports like Cochin International Airport, BOM, DEL, Juhu Aerodrome, and others.
First solar-powered airports in the world
Solar energy is being more sought after in India. Cochin International Airport in the southern state of Kerala was the first airport in the world to run entirely on solar energy back in 2015- a monumental achievement that garnered attention and accolades from the UN and other international organizations.
That’s not all, though. The airport increased its overall capacity to 40 MWp with the inauguration of a floating solar plant in the man-made lakes of a nearby golf course. Further , a second large solar plant installation that added 10 MWp to the total capacity became online. With this achievement, the airport now produces roughly 200,000 units of electricity daily compared to 160,000 units of daily use.
By implementing several green initiatives, India’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) hopes to become a Net-Zero Carbon Emission Airport by the year 2030.
The 2050 aim of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which has been established by all significant companies worldwide, is ahead of this objective.
At a session titled “Delivering the Net Zero Airport of the Future” at the COP26 Action Hub in Glasgow, the airport, which is run by a GMR-led partnership known as Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), made this declaration.
DIAL plans to lessen its carbon footprint by implementing the essential pollution control measures.
The airport has put in place a number of programmes to run its operations sustainably.
These include the use of renewable energy, creation of environmentally friendly airport infrastructures, the expansion of numerous passenger connecting networks, improvements to energy conservation and efficiency, and stakeholder partnership programmes.
With the addition of an electric vehicle charging station, sewage treatment plant (STP), and water treatment plant, the airport has increased its energy-efficient and environmentally friendly infrastructure (WTP).
Along with the deployment of electric automobiles and Taxibots, it also includes contemporary fuel hydrant systems, energy-efficient lighting systems, and other features.
A semi-robotic vehicle called a taxibot assists in getting the jet to the runway.
Indira Gandhi International Airport became the first airport in the world to adopt this breakthrough when it was first presented in 2019 for commercial operation.
The airport asserts that the project has reduced the amount of fuel used by aviation turbines when moving on the ground.
“At Delhi Airport, we are on a strong environmental advancement journey and we are confident to achieve a ‘net-zero carbon emission’ airport by 2030, following the Airport Carbon. Accreditation rules,” DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar stated. After becoming a Carbon Neutral Airport in 2016, achieving Level 4+ accreditation last year confirms our ongoing commitment to sustainability and a better future. We’ll keep creating infrastructure that is best in class and offering services with cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technologies.
IGIA unveiled a groundbreaking genome sequencing lab in January that will be used to examine samples from all arriving passengers who have Covid-19 positivity tests.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport), consumes nearly 100% renewable electricity (70 Mn units), leading to largely Zero Scope 2 emissions (>50000 MT of carbon emissions reduction).
BIAL has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable aviation over the past ten years and has put several best practices into effect to help the organization reach its sustainability goals.
