Enhancing power grid connectivity - Cologne Bonn Airport now linked to the main electrical network.
Powering Up Cologne Bonn Airport: A New Era of Energy Efficiency
Cologne Bonn Airport has taken a significant leap in energy efficiency with its recent connection to the high-voltage grid. This transformative change promises a triple energy boost, surpassing the airport's previous medium-voltage setup and setting the stage for a future-proof, robust power source.
Crafting a Reliable Foundation
Executives from RheinEnergie, Westenergie Netzservice GmbH, and Cologne Bonn Airport GmbH gathered at the site for the unveiling of the high-voltage cable before it went live. Over the past few years, RheinEnergie has laid approximately 7.5 kilometers of high-voltage cable, paving the way for the connection. In turn, Westenergie Netzservice GmbH planned and constructed the essential transformer station. This impressive structure incorporates a building with two 110-kV rooms and two 60-megavoltampere transformers, ensuring a powerful, modern power supply. Westnetz GmbH, a subsidiary of Westenergie AG, will manage the high-voltage network and the transformer station moving forward.
The connection to the 110-kV network grants the airport access to two distinct upstream 110-kV transformer stations. Given the escalating demands imposed by digitalization, electromobility, and advanced airport technology, this added dimension bolsters the airport's supply security, ensuring it remains resilient amid growing energy demands. The myriad cargo logistics providers based at the airport also gain from this enhancement.
The newly erected transformer station takes the power from the high-voltage grid, transforms it to medium voltage, and channels it through the airport's internal network. The power eventually reaches the terminals, buildings, and cargo logistics providers, ensuring a continuous supply.
"This transformer station sets the groundwork for our renewable energy expansion," shares Thilo Schmid, CEO of Cologne Bonn Airport GmbH. "The powerful plant supports our e-mobility advancements, allowing us to increase the share of renewable energy in the future."
A Pillar of Strength for the Regional Economy
Bianca Enge
Cologne Bonn Airport does more than just facilitate travel – it serves as a powerful economic engine for the region. With the new grid connection, the airport sets the stage for a more modern, attractive location for logistics, services, and industry. Businesses that prioritize stable energy supply and dependable infrastructure will find a future-focused environment here, strengthening the competitiveness of the entire region and fostering long-term job opportunities.
Strengthening Energy Supply
- Expanded Capacity: The high-voltage connection equips the airport with the capacity to provide three times more power than its previous medium-voltage setup[2][3].
- Increased Security: By linking to two different upstream substations, the airport enhances its supply security, minimizing the risk of power outages and ensuring consistent operations[1].
Encouraging Economic Growth
- Supporting Growth Projects: With a more reliable and robust energy supply, the airport can facilitate further development projects such as upgrades or increasing air traffic capacity, which can fuel increased economic activity through more flights and services.
- Attracting Businesses: A dependable energy infrastructure plays a crucial role in attracting businesses and airlines, making Cologne Bonn Airport an appealing hub for aviation-related businesses and services.
Bolstering Regional Competitiveness
- Modernizing Infrastructure: The high-voltage connection illustrates the airport's dedication to modernizing its infrastructure, putting it ahead of competing airports in the region.
- Boosting the Regional Economy: Improved infrastructure at the airport can lead to increased employment opportunities and economic activity in the surrounding areas.
In essence, the connection to the high-voltage grid is a strategic move that suits both the airport's immediate needs and contributes to broader economic and competitiveness goals in the region.
- The connection to the high-voltage grid, with its increased capacity, will enable the airport to support the energy-intensive technologies of finance, technology, and industry, as it now can supply three times more power compared to its previous medium-voltage setup.
- The transformer station's incorporation of a building with two 110-kV rooms and two 60-megavoltampere transformers ensures a powerful, modern power supply, establishing Cologne Bonn Airport as an alluring location for finance, technology, and industry sectors that require stable and dependable energy sources.
