Climate and energy

Climate and energy
CPH takes responsibility in reducing its CO2 emissions seriously, both with respect to the activities that are within CPH’s direct control and those beyond its control. CPH has set a target for cuts in its CO2 emissions that is in line with Denmark’s national obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and the European agreement on allocation of burdens. As a result, in 2007 CPH set a target of a 10% reduction of power consumption at Copenhagen Airport by 2012 as compared with 2007, which corresponds to the amount of power consumed by 1,100 Danish homes. These targets are to be achieved through the identification and implementation of energy-saving projects, the evaluation of new technology and increased employee involvement.

Green take-offs
CPH uses so-called “green take-offs” in its efforts to reduce its CO2 emissions: every day, Naviair, the organization responsible for air traffic management services in Danish airspace, permits 95% of all flights taking off to deviate from standard procedure and instead perform a “green take-off”, when they leave Copenhagen Airport. The aircraft climb continuously to their optimal operating level and turn onto the planned route earlier than normal. This saves time and fuel and CO2 emissions, compared with conventional take-off procedures involving a gradual climb and following standard routes.

This deviation from the standard procedure is possible because of Copenhagen Airport’s location on the Øresund strait, with water on three sides. Most other European airports have urban areas on several sides, making it necessary for them to employ mainly a few well-defined take-off routes and allow aircraft to climb only gradually to various flying levels.

On an annual basis, employing this procedure means that aircraft taking off from Copenhagen Airport save some 10,000 tonnes of fuel and several million Danish kroner while also cutting CO2 emissions by 32,000 tonnes or more. These are the results of data analysis by Eurocontrol, the European organisation of air traffic management services. In addition, CPH also uses so-called “green landing”, a procedure that allows the aircraft to glide down slowly before touching down. This also helps reduce CO2 emissions.

CPH Swift and groundwater cooling
CPH decided in 2009 to build its new low-cost facility, CPH Swift, as a low-energy building. Energy consumption in the building to be constructed will be half of the current statutory requirements for new buildings in Denmark.

CPH initiated specific planning of a major groundwater cooling system in 2009 which will reduce power consumption for cooling buildings in the terminal body by 80% over four years. Moreover, the new system will ensure that CPH meets the requirement of phasing out freon cooling systems by 2015.

CPH Swift will, together with Pier D and the baggage sorting system, be the first users of the new groundwater cooling departments continued this work by applying the values in their day-to-day activities, both in relation to what the values mean specifically for the individual departments, cutting across the organisation, and in relation to external business partners and customers. Following the gradual implementation in the entire organisation, the corporate values have now become the common framework for the CPH corporate culture.

LED and light control
The introduction of LED lighting in selected installations in runway and taxiway areas as well as in terminal areas will reduce Copenhagen Airport’s power consumption by approximately 200.000 kWh, which equals a reduction of 100 tons CO2 per year. LED light sources are still relatively expensive, and priority has therefore been given to installations with high maintenance costs, in which the long life of the LED light source justifies higher cost.

Moreover, the approximately 20 installations in the terminal area equipped with daylight control sensors have been subject to proficiency checks. All installations have been checked to ensure that they turn on and turn off at the preset daylight levels.

Escalators
All escalators and travelators at the airport were checked in 2009 to determine whether demand management by way of radar, timers or the like would be cost efficient if the related power savings are to finance the changes. Thirty out of the approximately 60 systems were adjusted or thoroughly renovated in connection with this project. The renovation resulted in power savings of 10-40% on each of the systems or 100.000 kWh per year.

Chemicals
CPH continuously seeks to improve conditions for the use of the up to 600 different chemicals currently available in the organisation. There are certain requirements to an airport with respect to necessary use of chemicals, among other things to ensure that the runways are fully operational in frosty weather and as the use of salt is not allowed since it can cause damage to aircraft.

In this area, CPH focuses on the health and safety and environmental impact and an assessment must be made of the product as well as of the working conditions relating to the product, before a decision is made to buy a new chemical product. Moreover, it is assessed whether it is possible to find a product, that is less hazardous, irrespective of whether it would entail additional costs to CPH. The Occupational Health and Safety Department is always involved in connection with the procurement of new chemicals.