Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is decarbonizing its central utility plant operations and has signed power management firm Eaton to an eight-figure contract to help build out the facility.
The DFW Airport has set a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030 and is building an electric Central Utility Plant (eCUP) that will be fueled primarily by electricity purchased from 100% renewable energy resources, according to reports. Eaton will contribute equipment to the eCUP in a contract valued at around $10 million.
The equipment is expected to be installed by spring of 2025. Many airports are now pursuing on-site power and microgrid technologies as a way to protect against grid outages such as the one that hit Atlanta’s airport several years ago.
Eaton, which is deeply involved in equipment for microgrids, will provide the DFW eCUP plant with medium- and low-voltage distribution equipment, panelboards, transformers, bus and safety devices to protect the system. Part of the project is funded from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“We’re proud to be a part of this pioneering sustainability project that demonstrates how to simultaneously expand a critical building’s footprint while reducing environmental impact,” Angie McMillin, president of Energy Solutions and Services at Eaton, said in a statement. “There’s substantial federal support for infrastructure investments enabling far more resilient and sustainable energy systems.”
Overall, DFW’s eCUP project is estimated to cost about $158 million from development to construction to commissioning, according to the airport’s website. The emissions reduction aim is to cut nearly 86% of nitrogen oxide emissions and 15.3 million kilograms, or 33 metric tons, of carbon dioxide annually.
In addition to lower carbon power generation, the DFW eCUP will replace an aging steam piping distribution system with more efficient hot water piping. The project could accommodate a future terminal expansion of up to 28 gates covering 500,000 square feet, the airport presentation says.
A recent report from the World Economic Forum forecast that the electric and on-site power requirements of airports will grow five to 10 times higher over the next 25 years. Increasing air traffic, sustainability goals and fears of utility-scale outages will drive microgrid and on-site power adoption at many airports, a report by finance advisory firm WTW noted.
Microgrid projects are either underway or completed at numerous major airports, including Pittsburgh International, JFK in New York, and Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. The latter airport fell victim to an extended outage in 2017 because of a fire which damaged two nearby substations.
The delays were costly, and negative financial and reputational damage enormous. Delta Airlines later calculated it lost more than $50 million due to the outage.
Earlier this year, officials at Hartsfield-Jackson International announced a long-term collaboration with plane manufacturer Airbus and hydrogen fuel cell (H2FC) firm Plug Power to do a feasibility study for a potential H2FC hub there at the Atlanta site.
DFW Airport is the largest hub for American Airlines and among the top three airports globally for both aircraft movements and passenger traffic. It is a major gateway for international travel.
The 2025 Microgrid Knowledge Conference will be in Texas. MGK 2025 is April 15-17 at the Sheraton Dallas. The conference call for speakers is now open.
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