Newcastle’s footprint reduction

Newcastle International Airport is fully committed to achieving group improvements to its energy and environmental performance. There is a dedicated team within the airport who work to ensure that all environmental impacts are managed, such as energy, noise, water and waste. Within each of these areas, significant resources have been spent to ensure minimal impact on the environment.

In 2010, Newcastle International Airport made a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by at least 15 per cent by 2015. At the moment, our current reduction is approximately 8 per cent, over half way to our target in less than two years. During this time, we have invested significant resources into improving and upgrading various aspects on site to help us reach this target. Our projects range from lighting upgrades, sensor installations, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition) profiling, and energy management initiatives. To date, we have reduced electricity consumption by almost 17 per cent, and gas by 8 per cent compared to 2009 levels. Alongside these significant reductions, we were recognised in the CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) performance league table, ranking third, top out of partici – pating airports in the UK. In addition to the legislative and environmental drivers, the unrest in the Middle East had a serious impact on the energy market and we saw an 18 per cent increase in our energy contract which placed further importance on our energy policy goal to reduce annual electricity consumption by at least 2.5 per cent year-on-year to 2015.

We work closely with our supply chain to achieve results. This allows us to procure the technology that meets our specific needs, and prioritise our investments to identify which affects overall energy consumption the most. The technologies which offer the greatest benefit were typically the various forms of lighting as well as HVAC upgrades and the installation of thorough and user friendly energy monitoring software.

Car park LED lighting

During summer 2011, the airport upgraded the long term car park lighting solution from 372 non-redundant, existing 400W SONS (sodium lightbulbs), to 42W LED units. The lighting provides an important service to our customers ensuring they feel safe and secure whilst using the car park service. The upgrade aimed to improve the existing lighting levels and provide a reliable, energy efficient solution. We worked closely with our supplier to comm – ission bespoke 42W units which resulted in an energy saving of approximately 90 per cent. This alone will reduce our carbon footprint by around 100 tonnes per year. The successful upgrade has delivered the required results and enhanced the customer experience, it was also recognised in our annual review by Park Mark. The LED lighting benefits from a significantly enhanced lifespan compared to the old SONS technology, which reduces maintenance costs as access to the units can only be gained via high level mobile platforms. This is a costly and resource intensive task which has now been reduced to almost zero. Through the combi – nation of maintenance benefits and energy reduction, payback on the scheme is expected in two and a half years.

CFL to LED upgrades

One of our most prevalent, on site lighting solutions are CFLs (Compact Fluorescents Lamps) which are used throughout the departures pier and in all of the toilet facilities. The existing units, typically 18 – 42W CFLs were manually switched which often led to inefficient usage patterns and energy consumption when certain areas were out of use. To resolve this, an upgrade was required which included the installation of PIR (Passive Infrared Sensors) sensors where suitable. After a series of trials, we sourced two replacement LED lamps which could be used in the existing fittings after some minor modifications. The new LED lamps are 7W and 11W, and provide a similar light output to the previous CFLs, whilst also benefitting from an extended lifespan. The ability to utilise the existing fittings, rather than replace with new units has made this a cost effective and sustainable solution. We are currently under – taking a programme to modify around 500 fittings across site, which will result in efficient usage and significant energy reductions.

Advertising signage

Our advertising portfolio is an important source of income for Newcastle International Airport, and provision of effective lighting to these units is essential to ensure that adverts are reliably and effectively illuminated. Constant illumination is required so we sought an effective solution which would provide equivalent light levels whilst reducing energy consumption and heat gains. Installing sensors was ruled out due to our contractual terms. With budget restrictions and the need to reduce energy usage as much as possible, we chose to adapt the lighting boxes and install LED tubes in place of the existing 70W fluorescent tubes. This like-for-like change enabled us to install 25W LEDs, reducing the carbon footprint by 80 tonnes per year. Further benefits were also seen in the reduced heat gains from the new LED technology, which has reduced the need for cooling in certain areas. The reliability of LED tubes has also seen a reduction in our on-going maintenance costs. Payback is estimated at two years for the project.

HVAC profiling

Ensuring an enjoyable customer experience is a focus for Newcastle International Airport, this includes keeping temperatures at a comfortable level as seasons change which is a challenging task. To ensure we are providing assisted heating/cooling to the areas which need it most, we undertook a review of our HVAC profiles in accordance with our expected flight schedules. Information on flight schedules, gate allocations and baggage hall usage was used to develop a summer and winter HVAC programme. This has enabled us to reduce the assisted cooling usage by around 4,000 hours and, more importantly, focus the usage of this resource to where it is needed most.

Technical upgrade investments are important in ensuring we reduce our energy usage, however the human element is just as important. In theory, a site could become saturated with technical upgrades, yet if these systems are not consciously used in an informed and efficient manner, the benefit will not be maximised. To ensure our staff are using energy efficiently, we have invested in software which tells us exactly where energy is being used (down to circuit level), by whom, and at what time. This level of granularity enables us to map energy con – sumption for key pieces of equipment and locations against the operational requirements. Monthly updates are distributed to these locations to communicate energy reduction targets, and advise on areas for improvement. By the end of 2011, we will have installed the system on our airfield lighting portfolio, a key source of energy usage. Information on visibility and flight schedules will be used in conjunction with the circuit level energy consumption data to ensure the operation is running as efficiently as possible.

As well as all the technological improve – ments, we have engaged with staff and identified energy champions within the business. The champions have attended a series of training sessions and work together to encourage an energy efficient culture. Where possible, equipment is switched off when not in use, such as baggage belts and escalators.

Legislation

In the first year of league table results, The CRC has recognised Newcastle International Airport as 128 out of 1,301 organisations across the county. This demonstrates that our energy management and monitoring practices are among the best in the sector. We have found the CRC an effective piece of legislation, however we were disappointed with the decision to scrap recycling payments. This alteration will cost us around £125,000 in year one, whilst under the original scheme we would have been eligible to receive a bonus payment for our commendable per – formance in the league table. We are looking forward to year two of the CRC, which will enable companies to improve their ranking by reducing energy overall consumption. We strive to be placed in the top 10 per cent of participating companies in the future.

The change to recycling payments within the CRC was an unexpected alteration which has been mirrored in the renewable energy sector and affected our progress in this area. We are looking to invest in a renewable energy scheme if and when a suitable opportunity arises. In 2011, we were progressing plans for an on-site 4MW solar array which would have provided around 12 per cent of our annual electricity requirements. The scheme was to be fully funded by an external investor, with the investor receiving the bulk of the Feed in Tariff income and the renewable energy generated being used free of charge by Newcastle International Airport. However, cuts in the Feed in Tariff for large scale solar made the scheme financially unviable due to the significant reduction in rates available, and our initial plans were scrapped. Despite this setback, we are continuing to investigate possibilities for renewable energy either on or off site, and are currently investigating options for wind generation and heating provided by biomass which would replace LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) fired heating. One site in particular which may benefit from biomass heating is the Airport Fire Station, however with the recent uncertainty surrounding the Renewable Heat Incentive and the significant logistical and operational implications of such technology, this option remains challenging. Our energy policy states that we will strive to secure a significant proportion of our energy requirements from renewables, and as such we are focused on larger scale projects which can make a real difference to the sustainability of our business.

Waste

Both customers and staff within the airport have the opportunity to recycle their waste. Within the terminal, bins are provided for paper, plastic bottles and general waste. Airlines also encourage customers to recycle on board their aircraft. During 2011, 80 per cent of all waste generated by airport activities has been diverted from landfill and recycled.

Community engagement

Maintaining relationships within the local communities is very important and we work closely with our neighbours. The airport operates a noise and track keeping system which continuously monitors noise levels at four locations. The system also identifies aircraft track compliance, which is communicated to airlines to ensure they comply with the preferred departure routes at the airport. Newcastle International Airport operates preferred departure routes, which have been designed to avoid residential properties, where possible. Since the introduction of these routes, there has been a significant reduction in noise complaints.

Acknowledgements

This article involved contribution from Helen Hughes, Environmental Adviser at Newcastle International Airport.

About the author

Terry Clarke joined Newcastle International Airport in April 2010 working within the Projects Team. He is responsible for developing and delivering Newcastle International Airport’s energy policy and energy efficiency strategy, as well as ensuring the airport performs well within the relevant legislation, particularly within the CRC performance league table.