An Assessment of Sustainable energy management at a Major Scandinavian Hub Airport: The Case of Oslo Airport Gardermoen

Abstract

 Using on an in-depth qualitative instrumental case study research approach, this study has examined Oslo Airport Gardermoen sustainable energy management. The study period was from 2005 to 2020. The qualitative data was analyzed by document analysis. The airport purchases electricity and heating and cooling energy from external vendors. The non-renewable energy sources include aircraft jet fuel, heating oil/diesel, fuel and biofuels for the airport’s vehicles, and supplies of paraffin/Jet A1 fuel and propane, with the latter fuel sources being used for the fire drills conducted at the airport. The case study found that throughout the study period Oslo Airport Gardermoen has implemented extensive energy conservation measures and technologies that have enabled the airport to mitigate its impact on the environment. The energy conservation measures include the extensive use of LED lighting, the replacement of a ventilation unit with a free cooling unit, an upgrade to the airport’s heat exchanger, the introduction of more energy efficient rotary heat recovery units, and the replacement of flood lighting around the airport’s terminal building with new LED lighting. The airport also installed blanking pedestals on the existing lights in Hangar 8. Other energy saving measures included the installation of motion sensors and night lowering in Pir Syd, the night lowering of lighting in Pier Norda and SBV, and the automatic control of ground heating systems at the airport’s apron. A very important environment-related energy measure has been the use of sustainable aviation fuels. Oslo Airport was the world’s first airport to offer sustainable jet biofuel to all airlines serving the airport.