Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina has broken ground on a new solar and energy storage microgrid.

The multi-phase project includes a large solar canopy to be erected on the top deck of an existing parking garage, as well as a battery energy storage facility that will be built adjacent to the terminal.

The 4 MW / 10 MWh direct current microgrid will provide resilience for the commercial and cargo transportation hub, which serves the state’s capital city and surrounding Midland Region. It will also discharge stored energy during peak demand hours to lower regional airport’s utility costs.

“Increasing covered parking – to 1,500 total covered parking spots at the end of this project – while leveraging a renewable energy source reflects the innovative, future-focused mindset the airport has embraced for this project,” Frank Murray, vice president of engineering and planning for CAE, said in a statement. “In addition to increasing covered garage parking, we will be harnessing and storing the energy generated, which in turn, will drive down our utility spend by an estimated average of 55% every year.”

Powering critical infrastructure with microgrids

Airport microgrids aren’t a new concept. Pittsburgh International has been completely powered by an on-site solar and natural gas microgrid since 2021. In its first year of operation, the airport reported more than $1 million in energy savings. In New York, one of the largest airport microgrids is under construction at John F. Kennedy International.

Smaller regional airports are also investing in microgrids. The Chattanooga (TN) airport leverages a solar and energy storage microgrid for all its power and Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Massachusetts is developing a microgrid that will power operations and ground transportation.

With 25 daily flights from regional airlines such as American Eagle, United Express, Delta and Allegiant, Columbia Metropolitan Airport moves more than 1.3 million passengers each year.

The airport also serves general aviation customers and moves millions of pounds of cargo annually. 

CMTA, an engineering and contracting firm that specializes in the construction of zero energy facilities, is developing the microgrid for CAE.

Stokes Energy will provide engineering, procurement and construction services for the project, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2027. Stokes will also operate and maintain the microgrid under a 5-year contract.

Construction will begin on the west side of the parking garage.

“The cost savings, the increased energy independence and the enhanced system reliability [provided by the microgrid] will allow CAE to see positive impacts with this project for many decades to come,” said Chris White, president and CEO of CAE.