This document discusses optimization of energy use at airports through various assessment and retrocommissioning methods. It provides an overview of defining standard performance benchmarks using data from over 20 terminals across 4 countries. Various steps are outlined to improve performance, including conducting ASHRAE level 1-3 energy assessments and system retrocommissioning. The document also describes a European airport energy reduction program that achieved a 20% reduction in energy usage and greenhouse gases through benchmarking, retrocommissioning, and implementing an energy management system. There is potential to develop a similar coordinated approach among North American airports to enhance data sharing, establish best practices, and achieve energy savings through a more targeted energy management strategy.

1. Kenneth McNamee, MSc, CMVP
Airport Facility
Optimization /
Energy Best
Management
Practices

2. What is
Efficient
Operation?

3. Define the Standard (IABI)
>20 Terminals
(separated from wider airport ops.)
4 Countries
(US, Canada, Netherlands, Turkey)
Various Size
(200k – 50million EPAX)

4. Performance
74 ekWh/ft2
Range
28 ekWh/ft2
Average Energy Intensity
Large Airport 47 ekWh/ft2 13.6 ekWh/EPAX
Medium Airport 46 ekWh/ft2 12.5 ekWh/EPAX
Small Airport 45 ekWh/m2 16.4 ekWh/EPAX

5. Lighting
Concessions
Passenger /
Baggage
Movement
HVAC
Pre-conditioned Air
Airports are inherently high
consumers of energy:

6. Steps to Optimizing
Performance
• Define Baseline Performance
(Benchmark)
• ASHRAE Level 1, 2 or 3 Energy
Assessments
• System Retro-commissioning

7. ASHRAE Energy
Assessments

8. Level 1
• Walk-Through Audit (Least cost
intensive option)
• Energy Baseline, Systems Description,
Measure identification
• Helps Narrow the Focus

9. Level 2
• Detailed Audit
• In depth analysis of building
performance, including envelope,
HVAC and lighting systems
• Avoided energy costs through
implementation of ECMs

10. Level 3
• Investment grade audit (Most cost
intensive option)
• Typically utilizes a energy model to
more accurately determine
synergistic effects of energy
conservation measures
• Provides greater accuracy when
deciding on ECM measures

11. System
Retrocommissioning

12. Planning
• Identify buildings to be included
in study – Define the scope
• Baseline energy performance
(typically 9 months)
• Identify HVAC points to be trended
and begin recording data

13. Investigation
• Visit site, assess building operation
and profile energy consuming
equipment
• Analyze system trend data and
identify opportunities for optimization
• Calculate potential avoided costs &
prioritize implementation measures

14. Implementation
• Implement energy
Retrocommissioning measures
• Record implementation strategies
and update O&M manuals

15. Hand-off
• Measure savings from baseline
period
• Identify whether implemented
measures reflect investigation
recommendations
• Identify opportunities to maintain
savings moving forward

16. Which option is
right for you?
Energy Audit
or
Retrocommissioning

17. A European Perspective

18. CASCADE Research Project
• Funded by the EU
• Lead Research Group - Fraunhofer
• Utilizing Building technology to identify
system inefficiencies at Airports
• Targeted 20% reductions in energy and
GHG emissions
• 3 year payback period
• Goal is to role this program out over all
European Airports

19. The Process
• Benchmark 60 EU airports for energy
• Select two candidates for participation
• Building Systems Retrocommissioned
• Energy upgrade projects implemented
• Building performance “Normalized”
• Implement FDD and ISO50001 process
at these airports

21. Could a similar
coordinated
approach make
sense for
North American
Airports?

22. The Potential Benefits
• Airports have unique operational
requirements
• Ability to share data will only enhance
energy savings potential
• Best practices can be established
• Could result in a more coherent and
targeted approach to EM at airports

23. Regulatory Support
Regulatory
Body