The Allegheny County Airport Authority board of directors recently awarded a 20-year contract to Peoples Natural Gas to build, maintain and operate a microgrid at Pittsburgh International Airport at no cost.
The project is expected to generate electricity-cost savings and increase reliability and public safety.
A microgrid is an independent electricity source that is connected to a traditional grid but can operate autonomously.
The airport’s microgrid will consist of approximately 7,800 solar panels and five natural gas-fueled generators. CNX Resources will drill for natural gas, and the airport also will use gas from the interstate pipeline system.
Once completed, the microgrid will be capable of producing more than 20 megawatts of electricity. It will power the entire airport, including a Sunoco gas station and a Hyatt hotel.
“My congratulations to the Airport Authority board and staff for taking this important step forward to ensure that our airport is both sustainable and resilient,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. “As an economic generator in our community, the airport’s ability to support our community and its businesses is absolutely imperative, and today’s action ensures that we have the tools to be self-reliant and self-sufficient at this facility.”
The microgrid is scheduled to go online by summer 2021.