A new software and sensor system, called CASCADE, will reduce carbon emissions and energy costs by 20 percent in airports, the European Commission said on Monday.
The new system was supported by partners in Germany, Italy, Ireland and Serbia with 2.6 million euros (3.49 million U.S. dollars) of EU funding. The Airports Council International Europe, representing over 450 airports, also committed its support to the project.
The pilot testing of the system in Rome's Fiumicino Airport and Milan's Malpensa Airport showed that it would save them at least some 6,000 MWh, which equates to 42,000 tons of CO2 and 840,000 euros a year.
Nicolas Rehault, coordinator of the CASCADE project, explained that sensors and meters were placed on the infrastructure and communicated information to a central database. The innovative software can detect faults, and suggest corrective actions to the energy management and maintenance teams.
"I believe 100 percent that our airports need to become smarter and greener. The CASCADE system shows us that being sustainable doesn't have to cost a fortune, and that actually it can save us money," said Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda.
Rehault said they want to replicate the solution at other airports. (1 euro = 1.34 U.S. dollars)