Many airports are increasingly looking at both sides of the energy equation — not only how to control demand, but how to get the most out of their supply. “Energy and sustainability have been a hot button on and off for the last couple of years,” says Bill Fife, corporate vice president and director of aviation services for DMJM Harris. Airports embracing this strategy are reaping the benefits of their investment, both for their business and their bottom line.

“I’ve been dealing with this issue for over 40 years,” says Fife. “It’s not going to go away.” Fife says that the first step for any airport serious about sustainability is in its master plan.

“It requires an effort that looks beyond what the normal FAA requirements are for a master plan,” says Fife. The FAA does not require a section on energy in master planning, but Fife believes that will change as FAA turns its attention to elements of airports beyond airspace and airfields. He says that it will affect airports of every size.

“You can do a master plan for a million passenger airport or a 45 million passenger airport — it’s not different. Just break it down into manageable components, down to the lowest common denominator. You can do it in your home or you can do it on a mega campus. You just have to have the commitment to do it.

“The key thing is it has to start early. You have to go in with a basic plan that you’re going to do it right.”

Losing faith in the grid
There’s no set path for getting the best deal on electricity. Many airports could be considered trailblazers in this area. Then again, many aren’t doing much at all.

“Most airports run off the [local utility company’s electrical] grid,” says Scott Clark, P.E., CEM, principal of facilities division energy and power solutions at Carter & Burgess.