Vienna Airport has expanded its renewable energy efforts by adding a new four-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) system to serve its energy needs. This addition brings the total capacity of the airport's PV systems to 46 megawatts, comprised of 78,000 solar modules. The airport's goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2033.
Vienna Airport has successfully integrated these systems despite common concerns about glare from PV modules affecting air traffic. Alongside solar power, the airport employs various other sustainable practices, including CO2-neutral district heating, using approximately 450 electric vehicles, geothermal energy for Office Park 4, intelligent building management, and large-scale conversion to LED lighting. These measures have enabled the airport to operate CO2-neutrally since the beginning of 2023.
CEO Günther Ofner highlighted the benefits of the airport's PV systems, stating that they cover half of the airport's electricity needs, thus saving energy costs and enhancing energy autonomy. However, he noted a growing issue with hostile electricity prices due to the oversupply of solar power in eastern Austria. In May 2024 alone, Austria experienced 78 hours of hostile electricity prices, an increasing trend. This situation forces producers to pay for the electricity they feed into the grid unless they shut down their generation plants.
To address this, Ofner emphasized the need for expanded electricity grids and extensive battery storage facilities to alleviate grid congestion and avoid hostile electricity prices. He indicated that the airport is ready to invest in storage technology but stressed that regulatory improvements by E-Control are necessary to facilitate this investment.
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