Airports Going ‘Green’ Exterior LED Luminaires Help Airport Sustainability Programs
By MichaelWinegard
Energy use is a significant percentage of an airport’s operating costs.With energy prices
rising, facility managers are under pressure to find solutions to reduce these expenses.While airports are subject to an array of environmental regulations, airport operators across the U.S. are going above and beyond regulatory requirements to proactively reduce the negative effects that aviation can have on the environment. Some facilities are aggressively implementing
“green” measures, which can lessen energy costs and generate favorable impressions among travel- ers. In this sense, airport sustainability as a business strategy has both immediate and long-termmeasur- able benefits. As Airport World magazine editor Joe Bates
wrote in the August/September 2010 issue: “Air- ports simply have to run and operate in a sustain- able manner or they will suffer the consequences like any other business.” There are numerous organizations that help air-
ports’ sustainability efforts. For example, [the] GreenAirport Ini- tiative provides North American airports with a comprehensive, streamlined approach for shrinking their environmental foot- printswhile creating a blueprint for sustainable development. Another is Airports Council International (ACI) North
America, a trade association whose members work collabora- tively with manufacturers, airlines and international, federal and state/local/provincial entities to respond to environmen- tal concerns. Energy efficiency and environmental stewardship are
important components in operating an airport. Airport facility managers are keenly aware that passengers are looking to see if an airport is reducing its energy footprint, conserving valu- able resources and managing the costs of running an airport more effectively. One strategy to help make airports’ daily operations more
energy-efficient and sustainable is through installation of exteri- or light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires. Exterior lighting has three primary functions – safety, security and ambiance. As manufacturers have honed the luminaires [designs] with tech- nology advances, sustainability and design now complement each other. LED luminaires for general outdoor lighting provide a win
for everyone – applications can retain the aesthetic and perform- ance integrity of the property,while also offering savings on ener- gy andmaintenance.
Palm Beach International Airport West Palm Beach, FL PalmBeach InternationalAirport (PBIA) is operated by Palm
Beach County’s Department of Airports. It is committed to enhancing the airport through sustainable products whenever possible, especially in ways to reduce energy consumption costs andmaintenance expenses.
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An overall energy audit was conducted by Florida-based
Hillers Engineering to determine current usage and to identify opportunities for efficiency and reduction. One area identified as needing efficiency upgrading was the
airport’s arrival and departure roadway. Originally, it had 695 100Wmetal-halide fixtures using about 66,000 kWh per month. The 25-year-old fixtures desperately needed upgrading. A lighting design study was conducted to evaluate LED
luminaires, along with traditionalmetal-halide fixtures, based on illumination and economic performance. According to Tom Galassi, PBIAMaintenance Supervisor, there was no comparison – the luminaireswere an easy retrofit choice. The recent installation of 695 79WLED luminaires will pro-
vide PBIA with an annual energy savings of 429,388 kWh; an annual energy cost savings of approximately $34,000; and an annual lightingmaintenance savings ofmore than $27,000. The airport reportedly will recoup its investment in about
five years. Feedback on the visual effects of the lighting installation
has been incredible. Travelers have commented to PBIA offi- cials that the lighting is bright and white,making it easier to see the roadway. PBIA’s Galassi said he is “very pleased with the project, and
the anticipated energy andmaintenance savings.” Additionally, sheriff deputieswho patrol the arrival / depar-
ture roadway and direct area traffic have spoken highly of the new LED luminaires, saying that they make visibility easier and the lightingmore evenly distributed. PBIA improvement plans include re-lighting the baggage
handling areas, roadway signage, aircraft gate parking and the existing parking garages -- allwith LED luminaires.
Michael Winegard, East Coast Regional Sales Manager with BetaLED, can be reached at
Michael_Winegard@betaled.com.
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