Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Changi Airport Group (CAG) has selected Keppel Ltd. (Keppel) for the ambitious project of crafting, establishing, owning, and managing a vast solar photovoltaic (PV) system across Changi Airport’s various structures including terminal buildings, auxiliary buildings, the airfield, and cargo facilities for a span of 25 years. Targeted for completion by early 2025, this project is set to feature a solar PV system with a total capacity of 43 Mega-Watt peak (MWp), with 38 MWp dedicated to rooftop installations. This initiative will position it as the largest rooftop solar PV endeavor in Singapore at a single location.
An additional 5 MWp will be generated through a solar PV setup located in a 40,000 m2 grassy area within the airport’s airfield, strategically placed away from operational zones for aircraft. This marks a pioneering move to leverage solar energy within the airfield of Changi, pushing boundaries beyond traditional rooftop installations.
Together, the solar installations on the rooftops and airfield will produce enough energy annually to power upwards of 10,000 four-room HDB flats, aiding CAG in slashing its carbon emissions by an estimated 20,000 tonnes each year. This reduction equates to nearly 10% of its energy use reported in 2019.
Implementing solar PV technology at an airport presents unique hurdles not encountered in standard settings like residential or industrial areas. Detailed simulations were essential to ensure that the panels would not create glare issues for pilots or air traffic controllers, nor disrupt essential communication, navigation, surveillance, and weather reporting systems. All installation and upkeep routines are designed to adhere strictly to aviation security and safety protocols, including fire safety standards mandated by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Upon completion, the solar PV system will be integrated with Keppel’s advanced Operations Nerve Centre (ONC) located within the Keppel Infrastructure@Changi facility. This center is equipped to provide remote monitoring, real-time analytics on solar production, and sophisticated fault detection for preventive maintenance, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability in power generation. Keppel’s ONC utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance forecasting, energy management, and overall performance of the solar assets.
Koh Ming Sue, CAG’s Executive Vice President of Engineering & Development, expressed CAG’s commitment to transforming Changi into a more eco-friendly aviation center by minimizing its environmental impact through various measures, including the adoption of energy-efficient solutions and supporting the transition to cleaner energy vehicles within the airport community. This collaboration with Keppel on the airport’s most extensive solar PV project to date, especially its introduction into airfield areas, is a significant leap in CAG’s sustainability journey.
In addition to this, CAG has engaged another firm, SolarGy Pte Ltd, to install a 640kWp rooftop solar PV system at the airport’s maintenance and storage center, aiming to halve its carbon emissions. As technological advancements emerge, CAG looks forward to collaborating with innovative partners to explore further sustainable initiatives at Changi Airport.
Lim Yong Wei, General Manager of Keppel’s (Energy-as-a-Service) Infrastructure Division, shared his enthusiasm about being the chosen partner for CAG’s solar energy initiatives. He emphasized the 43MWp solar project’s role in enhancing the environmental sustainability of the Changi air hub and showcased Keppel’s commitment to innovation and excellence in providing decarbonization and sustainable solutions.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
