Decarbonizing Airport Using Solar and Wind Farm: A Case of Biratnagar, Nepal

Abstract

Airports strive for a greener energy transition to minimize their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. The installation of solar or wind turbines is gaining significance among stakeholders working in sustainable airports. This study focuses on developing Biratnagar airport as a completely greener airport by identifying suitable sites for installing Solar and wind farms within the premises without compromising on safety aspects, including glare occurrence and environmental and electrical safety. PVSYST V6.8.7 and HOMER V2.81 software are used to simulate the performance of PV and wind turbine power plants. Three sizes of Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) of EOLO 15 kW, Tree tree-shaped wind Turbine (TSWT) 58.5 kW and TSWT 585 kW have been used for the Simulation. A sensitivity analysis of various parameters, including interest rates, wind speed, and wind turbine types, has been carried out to study the cost of energy generation in grid-connected mode. According to the study, a 157 kWp solar PV power plant is sufficient for Biratnagar Airport to become Nepal's first fully green-powered airport. The project's Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) equals 0.141 $/kWh if wind energy is used to supply part of the electricity with the annual wind electricity production of 23,184 kWh. The combined 15 kW wind turbine-grid scenario is superior to the grid scenario for wind speeds of more than nine m/s and interest rates of less than 10%. These findings increase airport authorities' and stakeholders' confidence in the investment in greener airports.