As one of the first airports in Europe, Copenhagen Airport has had a battery installed for storing green power. It is a milestone achieved as partners in the EU project ALIGHT have succeeded in managing the risks associated with installing a battery in an airport''s critical infrastructure.
In airports of the future, it becomes crucial to be able to store power from solar and wind energy to reduce emissions and achieve the goal of net-zero operation. Energy storage in batteries is part of the solution.
Even though obtaining approval to operate a battery system in an airport''s critical infrastructure is a challenge, a large battery will soon be operational at Copenhagen Airport – one of the first batteries in a European airport.
"We are pleased that we have succeeded in installing the battery in Copenhagen Airport. It is an important step towards more sustainable operations at the airport. Now we need to start testing different scenarios and find the best solution for energy storage at the airport, which we can then further develop on a larger scale in the airport," says Maria Skotte, vice president of Sustainability, Copenhagen Airport.
Security risks have been mitigated
The risks associated with operating a battery in an airport are numerous. Through the collaboration between Copenhagen Airport, Danish Technological Institute, and Hybrid Greentech, all partners in the ALIGHT project, it has been possible to minimize the risks that hindered the installation and upcoming commissioning of the battery.
"Fire and smoke development, data leaks, and legal issues are some of the risks and barriers associated with setting up a battery in an airport environment. Therefore, at Danish Technological Institute, we are pleased to have contributed to specifying the battery system and conducting unique safety tests that have helped make it successful at Copenhagen Airport," says Lars Overgaard, Project Manager, Technical Institute.
"The control system delivered by Hybrid Greentech has been tested for functionality and operational reliability in our EnergyFlexLab. In this way, we have tested the management in a secure environment, reducing the risk of inadequacies in the airport''s critical infrastructure," says Overgaard.
With Hybrid Greentech''s management system, Copenhagen Airport will gain an overview of when it is most advantageous to store energy directly from the solar energy produced by the airport''s many solar panels and when it makes sense to charge the battery with green power from the grid.
"With our advanced control, the battery system at the airport will interact with charging stations and other facilities. This combines the airport''s own CO2 reductions with indirect contributions to the overall energy system through so-called system services, which intervene quickly when the grid experiences disturbances," says Christoffer Greisen, COO, Hybrid Greentech and continues:
"With the 1350 new charging stations for electric cars that Copenhagen Airport will have in the coming years, it is crucial to embrace battery technology and build experiences with the many possibilities available," says Skotte.
A project for the airport of the future
The work to pave the way for battery systems and smart energy management at the airport is part of the EU-project ALIGHT, where Copenhagen Airport is at the forefront as a flagship airport. The project aims to find answers on how electrification and various energy sources can become part of the configuration in the airport of the future, where both aircraft, vehicles, and buildings receive power from 100 percent renewable energy.
"This is truly an exciting project we are engaged in. It will be a huge gain if we can manage to control the airport''s energy consumption more smartly. This means not only reducing our electricity costs but, more importantly, reducing CO2 emission levels," says Skotte.
The various demonstration activities and experiments with the battery will run until the end of 2025, where experiences and knowledge will be continuously collected and shared with other airports.
About ALIGHT:ALIGHT is an EU-funded project where 17 different partners gather knowledge and experiences to find solutions for a more sustainable aviation future. Among the partners are European universities, Airbus, SAS, Germany''s Aerospace Center, the aviation organization IATA, and four European airports.
The goal is to share the experiences and knowledge gained in the project with other European airports so that the entire industry can learn from the results and be inspired for a sustainable transformation.
About the battery system:The battery system is specifically built for Copenhagen Airport, Denmark''s largest airport, taking into account the airport''s high security level concerning both IT and fire risks. The airport is the setting for a series of experiments on storing power with the aim of storing and using green power, produced by solar and wind, in the most efficient manner.
The battery system, provided by the company Xolta, has a capacity of 900 kW / 1,200 kWh. Capacity-wise, it is equivalent to an average family''s electricity consumption for three months.
The battery system will be located in Maglebylille, south of the terminals, near the airport''s workshops and garage facilities. Here, there are both connected solar panels and charging stations that can be involved in various system tests without affecting the daily operation of the airport.
In the scorching summer of 2023, Europe was gripping an unprecedented heatwave. This extreme weather triggered a series of devastating events, including wildfires raging through Southern France and droughts that left the water reservoirs in Spain critically low. Such disasters were a stark reminder of the pressing need to address climate change head-on, an undeniable call to action.
In response, the European Commission and the cities across the continent have united, propelling Europe toward a more environmentally conscious future. At the core of this collective effort lies the Effort Sharing Regulation, which assigns emission reduction targets to each member state. With their sights firmly set on these targets and a dedicated commitment to combat emissions, European cities are charting a course towards sustainability, driven by innovation and a shared vision of a greener tomorrow.
This article explores three local initiatives - Copenhagen''s and Barcelona''s Climate plans and Tallinn as Europe''s Green Capital. Together, they exemplify how cities actively invest in renewable energy, advocate for sustainable transportation, and advance emission reduction. What unites these cities is their reliance on energy storage, with batteries emerging as integral components within these systems.
In the heart of Catalonia, Barcelona takes a bold stance in Europe''s ongoing battle against climate change. The city''s Climate plan sets a clear course towards reducing emissions and embracing renewable energy. At the forefront of this environmental mission are energy storage systems, with time-tested batteries powering businesses and homes across the city.
Barcelona''s first energy community epitomises this shift. Along the bustling Barcelona Port, solar panels soak in radiant Mediterranean sun. What sets this community apart is its ability to capture excess solar energy, preventing it from going to waste. Instead, it''s harnessed by energy storage systems. This stored energy becomes a precious resource, fueling essential port operations, from lighting to refrigeration. The Barcelona Port stands as an exemplary testament to the transformative potential of energy storage, pushing the city toward its climate goals one watt at a time.
Copenhagen has set an ambitious goal: to become the world''s first carbon-neutral capital by 2050, as outlined in its Climate plan. This visionary concept encompasses many initiatives, all connected by a central theme, energy storage.
A standout feature of the plan is Copenhagen''s extensive electric bus fleet, powered by battery energy storage systems. These systems store the energy that propels emission-free buses along the city''s bustling streets. In 2021, Copenhagen made waves by introducing 100 electric buses, to reduce annual greenhouse emissions by 5,000 tons. The city''s vision stretches even further, anticipating 50,000 electric vehicles on its roads by 2025, with advanced energy storage technologies seamlessly integrating modernity into urban life.
About Copenhagen energy storage for electric vehicles
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Copenhagen energy storage for electric vehicles have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Copenhagen energy storage for electric vehicles for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Copenhagen energy storage for electric vehicles featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
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