News Release (31/07/08)
Bristol International is investigating ways to increase its use of on-site renewable energy, with wind power and bio-mass possible sources which could supply power to the airport's terminal building in the near future.
As part of it's environmental management strategy, Bristol International is aiming to drive down site-wide carbon emissions per passenger by improving energy efficiency and increasing the proportion of energy from renewable sources, with an initial target of reducing CO2 emissions from energy use to below 2007 levels this year. Projects on the drawing board are a small scale wind turbine, a bio-mass boiler using locally sourced wood chip, and the conversion of cooking oil from airport restaurants into vehicle fuel.
Plans for a wind turbine on the airport site are currently undergoing feasibility studies, with the structure under consideration a turbine standing around 20m high - lower than existing airfield lighting columns - turning on a vertical axis to keep noise to a minimum.
A bio-mass boiler would utilise waste produced by local timber merchants to heat airport buildings. Overall, renewables could contribute at least 10 per cent of the additional power required in the airport's development plans.
The airport is also keen to work with local companies providing the technology to enable cooking oil to be recycled into vehicle fuel. Restaurants and cafés at Bristol International currently produce around 270 litres of waste cooking oil every week.
Alan Davies, Director of Environment and Planning at Bristol International Airport, said:
"While manufacturers and airlines are working to improve the environmental performance of aircraft, we can take steps to minimise the impact of our ground operations. The projects we are working on will help to cut the carbon footprint of the airport, and demonstrate our commitment to minimising the impact we have on the environment."