Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) this week begins construction on the first-of-its kind electrical microgrid that will completely power the airport by next summer.
The microgrid will include an energy plant of five natural gas fired generators, to be built on airport property, and nearly 7,800 solar panels. All told the new facilities will produce 20 megawatts of electricity from the natural gas generators and about 3 megawatts from solar. The airport’s current peak demand is approximately 14 megawatts.
“Part of our mission is to be a world leader in aviation innovation and this project is about powering airports into the future,” said Christina Cassotis, PIT CEO. “This project will bring power resiliency and redundancy to enhance safety and ensure continued operations for the traveling public.”
The microgrid will become the primary power source, but the airport will remain connected to the traditional electrical grid as an option for emergency or backup power. The facility, which will be built, operated and maintained by Peoples Natural Gas, will be used to power the terminals, the hangars and maintenance facilities, the airfield, the Hyatt hotel and a Sunoco gas station.
