Airports are challenged as they strive to achieve evolving energy and operational needs of their customers and increase energy resiliency while meeting sustainability goals. Being able to respond to acute incidents that may cause power disruptions (e.g., natural disasters) and being able to address power needs for today and in the future are the objectives of an energy resiliency plan. An energy resiliency plan must also consider the capacity and reliability of the local power grid and the type of regional or geographic stressors (e.g., frequent power outages, natural disasters) in the area where the airport is located.
The infrastructure and operational needs will vary by airport depending on energy goals and objectives. Having an energy resiliency plan as part of a broader sustainability program is much different from a plan designed solely for redundancy. A plan that focuses on the airport’s own operations, or only its essential operations, is different from one that includes its tenant’s energy requirements.
When developing a comprehensive plan of this nature, it’s important that stakeholders are included in the process. Understanding what the co-benefits are to the community and other stakeholders will encourage their participation. There has been some research in the area of resiliency, but due to the long lead time in implementing all the components in an energy resiliency plan, there is currently no guidance for airports to develop a customized energy resiliency roadmap for achieving their resiliency plan.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the research are to develop (1) a primer on energy resilience for airport executives; and (2) a guidebook on how to develop an energy resiliency roadmap.
At a minimum the guidebook will address the following issues:
- How to conduct a vulnerability assessment;
- Planning for acute and long-term energy resiliency;
- Tracking and inventorying current energy demand and usage;
- Understanding supply capacity;
- Forecasting future demand;
- How to conduct cost-benefit analysis;
- Geographic differences and their stressors, e.g., natural disasters;
- Infrastructure requirements including storage and distribution;
- Physical, fiscal, technological, and regulatory constraints and opportunities;
- Engagement with stakeholders including local community; and
- Potential local community benefits.
STATUS: The panel is meeting with the PI to review the interim report in late January, 2023.
