Philadelphia International Airport, Low Emissions Program
Airports can be a significant generator of carbon emissions, with aircrafts idling at gates, and a large number of vehicles, including aircraft ground support vehicles, buses, shuttles, and other ground transportation vehicles,
To provide financial assistance for airports seeking to reduce ground emissions, Congress established a voluntary incentive program in 2004 called the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program. Through this FAA administered program, qualifying airports and projects can receive up to 75% reimbursement through the VALE Program to fund low-emissions projects.
Burns Engineering, Inc. is leading the design for the VALE Phase II project at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which will provide the airport with over 100 electric vehicle charging stations for use by airline ground service equipment (GSE), and 24 pre-conditioned air (PCA) units to be installed at the Terminal F jet bridges. The electric charging stations will allow airlines to reduce and/or eliminate dependence on vehicles which utilize pollution-creating petroleum-based fuels. The PCA units will provide heating and cooling of the aircrafts while they are parked at the jet bridges, and will eliminate the need to run the aircraft engines during these periods which will reduce the “fuel burn” and associated pollutant emissions.
Burns’ effort for this $14 million projects includes engineering and design for three new electrical substations to support charging stations and PCA units, eGSE charging unit corral layout including canopies for weather protection, electrical distribution, mechanical engineering including PCA unit design and substation ventilation, and civil and structural engineering.
The completion of this project will result in reduced ground emissions at PHL, and a cleaner, healthier environment for airport passengers and employees, as well as surrounding communities.
If you are interested in learning more about VALE funded projects, please contact Brian Phillips at (215) 979-7725 or bphillips@burns-group.com.
Posted on Jan 27, 10:34 AM