Airports Prioritize Solar-Powered Microgrids for Enhanced Energy Resilience
U.S. airports are increasingly viewing solar power not just as a means to reduce emissions and electricity costs, but as a critical component for energy resilience. Officials from major airports, including San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), discussed this shift at the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) annual conference in Philadelphia. SJU, for instance, activated a $14 million solar-powered microgrid in April, providing approximately 5% of its electricity needs. This initiative was largely driven by the widespread power outages experienced in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017, which severely disrupted airport operations. DFW is also actively exploring similar microgrid implementations to ensure operational continuity during power disruptions.
