Bristol Airport installs new low-carbon energy centre as part of net zero programme

Bristol Airport has taken delivery of a new £10m energy centre that will provide heating and cooling for its terminal buildings as part of its programme to reduce operational carbon emissions.

image: Bristol Airport

The modular facility, which arrived at the airport this week, will produce, store and distribute low-carbon thermal energy to heat the existing terminal and terminal extensions during the winter and provide cooling in the summer.

The energy centre was transported to the airport in four prefabricated modules under a police escort. Each module weighs around 17t and measures more than four metres wide and 12m long. The units were manufactured off site over the past four months before being delivered by road via the M5 and lifted into position using a 200-t crane. Installation of the structure was completed over two days.

The project forms part of Bristol Airport's strategy to decarbonise its operations by replacing conventional gas boilers with a renewable heating and cooling system. Once operational, the facility will use 22 air source heat pumps and an electric boiler, which will provide additional capacity during periods of peak demand.

According to the airport, the new system is expected to reduce operational carbon emissions by around 625t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) each year. The airport said this is broadly equivalent to the annual emissions from approximately 135 passenger cars or the energy consumption of around 77 homes.

Work has also been underway since March to install underground pipework linking the energy centre to the terminal buildings. The network will distribute heated and chilled water through the airport's heating and cooling system via the terminal basement. The energy centre includes pumps, valves and control equipment to regulate the flow of energy throughout the site.

Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability at Bristol Airport, said, "It's incredible to see the energy centre being lifted into position today, considering work began just four months ago. Although a modular design, it's a complex build and another major milestone for Bristol Airport.

"Bristol was the first airport to commit to net zero operations by 2030 and to ensure we remain on track, we set ourselves an interim target of reducing carbon emissions by 73% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This demonstrates the airport's commitment to lowering its carbon footprint."

The airport has already installed heat pumps at a number of other facilities on its site, including office buildings, the Silver Zone car park reception, the car rental building, the western walkway and the air traffic control tower.

The energy centre is being installed adjacent to the Hampton by Hilton hotel and the main terminal. The next phase of the project will involve connecting the new facility to the terminal's air handling units, while the remaining air source heat pumps are scheduled for installation over the summer.

The project forms part of Bristol Airport's wider net zero strategy, which is focused on decarbonising buildings, transitioning its vehicle fleet to electric power and increasing the use of renewable energy across its operations.