Energy

Energy is used extensively at an airport to power key equipment, lighting and cooling systems. Increasing the efficiency of these systems leads to decreased costs and associated carbon emissions from the generation source of energy purchased.

Since 2014, the Aviation Department has reduced the annual electricity consumption by over 16 million kwh despite growth. Plans focus on reducing energy demand and developing a carbon-free energy system as part of a comprehensive strategy identified in the Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon.

Initiatives

On-site Renewable Energy

Solar photovoltaic arrays have been installed at the Rental Car Center and East Economy Parking Garages, as well as the Aviation Headquarters Building amounting to nearly 6 megawatts of on-site renewable energy, the equivalent of powering over 650 homes for a year. Additional arrays are planned for installation at all three City of Phoenix airports.

Building Energy Efficiency

New and renovated Aviation Department facilities are certified to high energy efficiency rating systems certified by LEED, which is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Recently the Sky Harbor Command Center achieved LEED Gold and the Terminal 3 Modernization achieved LEED Silver. The PHX Sky Train® expansion received LEED Silver and/or Envision certifications for each stage.

Mechanical Systems Improvements

The Aviation Department continues to make energy-efficient upgrades to the building automation controls, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), fault detection commissioning software and chiller plant optimization software. Making these upgrades helps reduce energy consumption and costs to the HVAC cooling system.

Lighting Replacement Program

Older lighting fixtures have been replaced with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures and lighting control systems inside Terminal 4, Terminal 4 Garage, East Economy Garages and on the airfield. Annual energy savings of over one million dollars were achieved from the lighting conversions. The Rental Car Center is undergoing a new (LED) lighting conversion project to be completed by the end of 2023.