Wed Apr 30 12:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Pittsburgh Airport’s Microgrid Prevents Power Outages Unlike European Airports
**Pittsburgh, PA** – While widespread power outages caused travel chaos across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) showcased its resilience against such disruptions. Unlike airports in Europe that suffered significant delays due to the outage, PIT’s innovative microgrid, powered by natural gas and solar energy, ensures uninterrupted operations.
The airport, the first in the world to implement such a system in 2021, celebrated the expansion of its solar field on Tuesday. The addition of 11,216 solar panels will increase on-site power generation by 4.7 megawatts, bolstering the existing 23 megawatt capacity generated by the combination of solar and natural gas. This expansion, expected to be completed by 2027, significantly enhances energy independence and further reduces reliance on the regional power grid.
Airport CEO Christina Cassotis emphasized the importance of energy independence for critical infrastructure like airports, highlighting the microgrid’s ability to prevent power outages even during widespread grid failures. The system has already saved the airport approximately $1 million annually in utility costs and reduced carbon emissions by over six million pounds yearly. Any excess power generated is sold back to the regional grid.
The expansion comes as a stark contrast to recent events in Europe and a recent Government Accountability Office report revealing numerous power outages at US airports between 2015 and 2022. PIT’s microgrid serves as a model for ensuring operational continuity and reducing the vulnerability of airports to power disruptions.
First Piper 