Powering the Airport: PIT’s Microgrid an Innovative Force of Resiliency

Resiliency. Redundancy. Sustainability. Pittsburgh International Airport’s innovative and first-of-its-kind microgrid embodies these principles and is drawing the attention of the aviation industry.

“We are able to power 100 percent of our campus from this energy plant and our solar facility,” said Tom Woodrow, SVP Engineering and Intelligent Infrastructure, PIT.

That means the traditional grid now is backup power. Instead, the microgrid allows PIT to be self-sufficient for power generation and resistant to outages on the traditional grid.

The microgrid went live in 2021 and is helping PIT meet its sustainability goals, lower energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint.

“In 2022, we reduced carbon emissions regionally by approximately 6 million pounds,” said Woodrow. “With regards to energy, the cost savings, we’re saving a least $1.5 million a year in utility costs.”

The five natural gas-fired generators and close to 10,000 solar panels power PIT’s 8,800-acre campus, including the airfield, landside and airside terminals, the Hyatt hotel and the 7-11 gas station. When PIT’s new terminal opens in 2025, it also will be powered by the microgrid. There are also plans to