Energy management and microgrid firm Schneider Electric will team up with Canada’s second-largest airport over the next 10 years to reach ambitious net-zero emissions and energy efficiency goals at the busy facility.
Vancouver International Airport (airport symbol YVR) has worked with Schneider Electric on various digital transformation and emissions reduction projects over the decades and will extend that partnership into the 2030s.
This latest focus aims at upgrading YVR’s energy management information system, in addition to the airport’s plans to electrify and decarbonize its fleet operations, convert fossil fuel power to renewables, and implement stronger conservation tools for energy used in cooking, heating, and lighting.
Vancouver International Airport is planning to invest $135 million to reach net zero emissions targets by 2030. Many airports around North America are also committing to major energy decarbonization projects.
“At YVR, we are focused on energy conservation and electrification across our operations to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the green economy,” Christoph Rufenacht, Vice President of airport development & asset optimization at YVR, said in a statement. “Working with Schneider Electric, we will enhance how we monitor and manage our energy use, optimize our current energy infrastructure, and explore innovative solutions to maximize carbon reduction.”
Vancouver International Airport handles close to 20 million passengers annually and is second only to Toronto’s Pearson Airport in Ontario. Three years ago, YVR leadership introduced its Roadmap to Net Zero and has since launched into a partnership and shared best practices with nearby Seattle airports around energy efficiency and decarbonization.
The distributed energy resources being connected to YVR include investments in on-site solar and geo-exchange, which is a shallow geothermal energy project using ground heat as a type of battery instead of a purely heating source.
On the energy management side, Schneider Electric will deploy its Resource Advisor and EcoStruxure Power Operation tools for carbon emission monitoring on top of the existing monitoring system.
“Schneider Electric is proud to supply a comprehensive roadmap and support for YVR to help facilitate the modernization and digital transformation of one of Canada’s largest and busiest airports," says Courtney Forget, Vice President of Services at Schneider Electric. “We are thrilled to extend our ongoing relationship with YVR, working side-by-side as one team, and providing solutions on their electrical distribution systems to ensure we’re fostering a sustainable and reliable airport environment.”
British Columbia has been a next-gen energy focus for Schneider Electric over many years. In 2014, the company opened its MicroGrid Lab in Burnaby.
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