Have you gone into an airport recently and just been blown away by the sheer size of it? Some are so large you can reach your daily step goal by walking from one gate to the next. The crazy thing is, they’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Can you imagine how much power it takes to run these mini-cities?
Fun fact: As stated by the Guinness Book of World Records, King Fahd International Airport is the largest airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. And its size is the equivalent of an entire country, even larger than Bahrain, a neighbouring country.
Top 10 Strategies To Cut Airport Operational Costs
I’m sure you understand why it’s essential to implement energy efficiency in all airports, especially the big ones. So, let’s explore the ten strategies you can incorporate to save money without causing any delays.
1. Conduct an Energy Audit
This should be everyone’s first step when cutting operational costs in any business. Once you understand how energy is used and how much of it, it’s easier to devise a plan. After conducting an audit, you can get your staff board to make the necessary changes to reach the airport’s energy-efficiency goals.
How do you conduct this audit? Well, it’s pretty easy.
- Review energy bills to understand current energy consumption patterns.
- Inspect the airport to identify significant energy use areas.
- Analyse energy flows for conservation opportunities, focusing on lighting, central heating, and other systems.
- Identify inefficiencies and potential improvements to reduce energy use and costs.
Even though the airport will be able to have its management conduct this audit, some companies like Utility Bidder are experts in the field and happy to help conduct these audits.
2. Implement Night-time Shutdown Procedures
This might be tricky for larger airports with late-night flights. However, there are generally a lot fewer people wandering around the hospitality areas at 3 am, making it the perfect time to shut down a few gates or lounge areas, saving unnecessary electricity costs.
It may take a bit of planning and organisation to figure out which section won’t be occupied and for how long, but it’s a method worth implementing.
3. Transition to LED Lighting
Are you familiar with the Latte Factor? It’s a term that financial expert David Boch came up with to explain how a small expense can have an enormous impact.
You can read more about it here. But in short, an expense that seems trivial, like a simple light, can add up and cost you a pretty penny in the future. This is why changing old-fashioned light bulbs to LED eco-friendly ones is a step in the right direction.
These light bulbs also last quite a bit longer and will not need to be replaced as often.
4. Enhance Building Insulation
Maintaining a comfortable temperature within an airport can be a challenge. But proper building insulation is the key to conquering it. Airports can reduce the energy used for heating and air conditioning by ensuring the airport walls and windows have adequate insulation.
5. Utilize Utility Brokers for Better Deals
You can get a utility broker onboard to assist with the search.
Utility Bidders will find the best deals by navigating airport utilities. Not only will they compare prices from various utility providers, but they will also analyze the airport’s consumption to determine the best option. They’ll even do the negotiating for you.
6. Upgrade HVAC Systems
Upgrading HVAC systems is a strategic move to enhance energy efficiency and reduce airport operational costs. By getting your hands on the latest HVAC technology, airports can significantly lower energy consumption.
This upgrade reduces the airport’s carbon footprint and contributes to substantial financial savings over time.
For tailored guidance on optimising HVAC systems and other energy-saving measures, consulting with a utility broker, like Utility Bidder, can provide personalised solutions and access to competitive rates from energy suppliers.
If you still need more convincing, learn how saving energy will save you money.
7. Adopt Green Airport Energy Practices
Unfortunately, there aren’t any solar-powered aeroplanes just yet, so to make up for that, airports are going to need to step up their game by working towards a more sustainable future. Airports can reduce their carbon footprints by adopting renewable energy sources.
We understand how important a reliable power supply at an airport is. Imagine you’ve just disembarked from your flight, you’re waiting to collect your luggage, and suddenly, the carousel stops due to a power failure. Frustrating, right?
That’s precisely why you need to use solar panels or wind turbines; some renewable sources have proven more reliable and environmentally friendly when providing power.
8. Implement Energy Conservation Measures
In 2021, the global aviation sector set a goal to achieve zero emissions by 2050, focusing on reducing emissions during flights. Yet, the efforts to cut down on the carbon footprint of airport operations have not been equally highlighted despite their significant environmental impact.
It’s up to the management team and staff to implement energy conservation methods within an airport in order to reduce the carbon footprint and save costs.
9. Explore Business Energy Case Studies
Learning from the mistakes or successes of other companies is an excellent way to develop strategies to improve.
A case study was done at the airport in Sarajevo. They conducted an energy audit to pinpoint where the airport could improve. It analysed the main areas and paid close attention to how much energy the airport was using and where they were wasting it.
They could develop strategies to reduce the airport’s carbon emissions from this information. They did this by comparing Sarajevo to other airports to find ways to improve energy efficiency.
They managed to reduce specific carbon dioxide emissions by 43% and a 28% reduction in specific energy consumption. This indicates that substantial improvements in energy management and sustainability at airports are achievable with the right strategies.
10. Switch Airport Energy Suppliers
An airport can significantly reduce its energy bills by simply changing to a different supplier.
This is another service Utility Bidder can provide, as searching for the best deal can be pretty time-consuming. They have access to hundreds of energy suppliers across the UK and can easily find the best rates.
Utility Bidder has even gone as far as to promise to pay out £1,000 if they’re unable to find better rates than what the airport is currently paying. As a business, you have nothing to lose but a lot to gain from contacting them.
Conclusion
Aeroplanes already have a somewhat negative impact on the environment, releasing dangerous emissions into the air. Airports can make a difference by saving the planet and money simultaneously.
Implementing these energy-efficient strategies mentioned in the article doesn’t need to take the airport’s attention away from its existing functions. By outsourcing experts like Utility Bidder to board your flight to a cleaner and cheaper future, making the necessary changes has never been easier.