Developing A Business Case For Renewable Energy At Airports

This report is a guidebook to help airports understand renewable energy opportunities. The report includes instructions and tools to evaluate proposed renewable energy projects and their alternatives so that an informed decision that maximizes financial, self-sustainability, environmental, and social benefits can be reached. The report lays out what a business case is, why renewable energy is important, and what a business case for renewable energy looks like. It describes the importance of identifying the project objective and understanding how renewable energy might fit into an airport’s vision. A decision-making matrix is included that contains criteria used to evaluate a renewable energy project with a system for weighting each factor based on an airport’s particular objectives. The report presents a business case in the context of an airport’s typical master planning and capital improvement planning processes including engagement of key stakeholders. The report provides a model business case that evaluates a solar photovoltaic facility, a fossil fuel generator, and a fuel cell as options for providing on-site electricity generation to improve an airport’s energy stability and resiliency. It also includes examples of renewable energy business cases from both aviation and non-aviation organizations to highlight lessons learned. A sample request for proposals and a sample power purchase agreement are provided for project implementation. A CD-ROM (CRP-CD-177) provides supplemental information.

Airports have implemented a variety of renewable energy technologies since 1999--with the largest growth occurring over the past decade--in parallel with the evolution and maturation of renewable energy markets. Of the renewable energy options available to airports today, the prevailing technology is solar PV, which accounts for 72% of all projects cataloged in the Renewable Energy Projects Inventory. The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program's ACRP Synthesis 110: Airport Renewable Energy Projects Inventory and Case Examples draws on existing literature and data to present the state of practice for airport renewable energy. It presents the integration of renewable energy projects--including solar PV, geothermal, bioenergy, solar thermal, and small wind projects--into airport development and operations and the drivers behind those efforts. The report is accompanied by an Airport Renewable Projects Inventory.

TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 20: Strategic Planning in the Airport Industry explores practical guidance on the strategic planning process for airport board members, directors, department leaders, and other employees; aviation industry associations; a variety of airport stakeholders, consultants, and other airport planning professionals; and aviation regulatory agencies. A workbook of tools and sequential steps of the strategic planning process is provided with the report as on a CD. The CD is also available online for download as an ISO image or the workbook can be downloaded in pdf format.

This book takes a look at the critical issues facing the airline industry featuring contributions from key figures in Europe, the US and Asia. Elements for success and failure are discussed and material is offered for strategic thinking.

TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Research Report 197 provides information for airport staff on renewable energy sources, steps for developing a strategy, and metrics for measuring success. In addition to providing guidance, the report also highlights real-world examples of succesful renewable resource projects at airports.

This outlook highlights climate-safe investment options until 2050, policies for transition and specific regional challenges. It also explores options to eventually cut emissions to zero.

"TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 93: Operational and Business Continuity Planning for Prolonged Airport Disruptions provides a guidebook and software tool for airport operators to assist, plan, and prepare for disruptive and catastrophic events that have the potential for causing prolonged airport closure resulting in adverse impacts to the airport and to the local, regional, and national economy. The software tool is available in a CD-ROM format and is intended to help develop and document airport business continuity plans or revise current plans in light of this guidance. The CD is also available for download from TRB's website as an ISO image."--Publisher's description.

At head of title: Airport Cooperative Research Program.

Ch. 1. Introduction -- ch. 2. Airport business plan -- ch. 3. Airport business planning process -- ch. 4. Preparing the elements of an airport business plan -- ch. 5. Implementation -- ch. 6. Airport and market -- ch. 7. Organization -- ch. 8. Operations -- ch. 9. Marketing -- ch. 10. Aviation products, services, and facilities -- ch. 11. Financial -- Glossary of terms and acronyms -- Bibliography.