Miami International embarks on major $32m two-year energy efficiency project
(photo: MIA)
Fri 11 Sep 2015 – Miami International Airport (MIA) has launched what it claims to be one of the largest energy-saving programmes ever undertaken in Florida and the eastern United States. Over the next two years, the project will spend $32 million on installing air conditioning and ventilation upgrades, water conservation retrofits, energy-efficient lighting and other green initiatives. It is expected to result in savings of more than $40 million in utility costs over the 14 years of an agreement with Florida-based FPL Services and is part of a commitment to reduce the airport’s annual carbon footprint by 20% and water consumption by 28 million gallons. Meanwhile, Dallas-Fort Worth has been newly certified at Level 3 Optimisation under the industry’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, the highest level so far achieved by a North American airport.
“As one of the largest energy consumers in Miami-Dade County, we are implementing measures like the Sustainability Project to be its most efficient consumer as well,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio González. “In addition to protecting our environment, being an energy-smart airport is smart business. The savings will help us to decrease our operating costs and lessen the financial burden passed on to current and prospective airlines, which in turn supports our growth and our local economy. This innovative programme will further strengthen MIA’s position as a global leader in airport sustainability.”
Currently in Phase 3, MIA has partnered with FPL Services for the past 10 years on implementing energy conservation projects throughout the airport, including lighting retrofits and renovations, chiller replacements and plant upgrades, cooling tower retrofits, air-handling unit replacements and the installation of low-flow water fixtures. Around 400 different types of lighting have been eliminated and 100,000 light bulbs upgraded to streamline maintenance and reduce energy. In total, the airport is looking to save 35 million kilowatts of energy annually.
The Sustainability Project, which is expected to create 300 jobs during the installation, is part of Miami-Dade County’s community-wide GreenPrint initiative to use less water and energy.
