Dominion Energy and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are going to jointly explore a large scale 100-mW solar energy project at Washington Dulles International Airport. It would be on approximately 1,200 acres. It could power up to 25,000 houses and could be among the largest solar installations in Northern Virginia.
The project could establish as early as 2023. International Airport Review describes:
Dominion Energy lately signed a sublease with the Airports Authority to begin feasibility studies for the project to move forward. Electricity generated from the solar project could connect to the present transmission line situated on Dulles International Airport property, providing clean energy for residential and industrial customers.
Electrek’s take
Dominion Energy is really on a roll. Last week, the energy company announced plans to build the US’s biggest offshore wind farm. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project would be only the second offshore wind farm in the united states and the initial owned by a utility company. It will be situated over 27 miles away Virginia Beach, Virginia. So their next step to embrace green energy is welcome.
Aviation creates 12% of CO2 emissions from all transportation resources, and 80% of aviation CO2 emissions are generated from flights of over 1,500 kilometers (932 miles). The US accounts for nearly half of global CO2 emissions . But people are going to fly — most won’t ride at a zero-emissions sailboat across the Atlantic like Greta Thunberg did.
So Dulles’ move toward creating energy with solar is a positive step. Further, in regards to airports doing the right thing, more than 200 members of ACI Europe, the trade association for European airports, have committed to generate net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
There are already three net zero airports in Europe; Luleå, Ronneby, and Visby, all operated by Swedish airport operator Swedavia.
Swedavia is setting the exact same goal for its Stockholm Arlanda hub by 2020.
ACI Europe estimates that the commitment will remove around 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The European airports will attain this by investing in biofuels, electric airplanes for short-haul flights, and with more aircraft that is overburdened. They will also offset carbon, utilize electric vehicles, reduce power consumption at the airports, and also source that electricity out of green energy.
