Pittsburgh International Airport
First major US airport powered by microgrid
Pittsburgh International Airport has announced plans to build a first-of-its-kind microgrid that will completely power the facility. The microgrid is unique because not only will it power both terminals, the airfield, the Hyatt hotel and a Sunoco gas station, it will be fueled in part by the airport’s own natural gas wells drilled on-site and nearly 8,000 solar panels across eight acres. “Part of our mission is to be a world leader in aviation innovation and this project is about powering airports into the future,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis. “This project will bring power resiliency and redundancy to enhance safety and ensure continued operations for the travelling public.” A microgrid is an independent electricity source that can operate autonomously. The airport’s microgrid, which will be built, operated and maintained by Pittsburgh-based Peoples Natural Gas, will be its primary power source.