Airport CHP takes off

Stansted airport has recently installed a combined heat and power (CHP) unit to provide electricity, heat and cooling for a new satellite terminal building which will considerably increase passenger throughput.

With electricity demand at the UK airport continually rising, the packaged natural gas fired unit was a cost-effective solution to the electricity demand created by Satellite 2.

The new satellite, which includes four aircraft loading jetties, represents a $27 million investment and will increase the airport's annual passenger throughput by around two million.

The 300 kWe CHP installation was supplied by Nedalo. The unit consists of a 23 l Perkins four-stroke six cylinder lean burn gas engine. It will provide heating and electricity for the 6000 m² satellite building, as well as summer cooling through interface with an overhead chilled beam system. The unit will be operational year-round for 17 hours per day, and complements the existing power supply.

Low pressure hot water from the CHP unit will provide energy for an absorption chiller to lower the water temperature for the cooling system. The water will be circulated around the chilled beams in the ceiling of the satellite building, cooling by convection.

A key factor in Stansted's decision to opt for combined heat and power was the high efficiency of the technology and the projected environmental benefits. "By a more efficient use of gas we can expect CHP to reduce our energy consumption and cut CO₂ emissions to the tune of 2000 t/a, in comparison with taking electricity from a regional electricity supplier," said Stansted project manager Paul Beaver.

The CHP installation will be officially commissioned when the satellite opens to the public in December.