The Mumbai airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), has begun a pilot project to develop a wind-solar hybrid system to generate renewable energy for captive usage. This initiative is expected to help the airport achieve its net-zero emission targets by reducing its dependence on conventional electricity. The airport claims to be India’s first to deploy a hybrid wind-solar system.
WindStream Energy Technologies, based in Hyderabad, has created a patented 10 kW hybrid power system that comprises a 2 kW vertical axis wind turbine and an 8 kW solar photovoltaic system with a minimum energy generation of 36 kWh per day. Based on the airport’s requirements, the hybrid power system seeks to generate electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reportedly, the fully integrated generator’s modular and adjustable size makes it suitable for customisation and installation on different sites. It’s billed as a noise-free, bird-friendly solution with a 25-year design life. The vertical axis wind turbine is expected to generate 13,140 kWh/annum for 25 years once installed.
The airport has incorporated several sustainable innovations throughout the years while working under its environment and sustainability and greenhouse gas policies, increasing its renewable energy generation to 4.56 MW. In 2016–2017, it was designated as a carbon-neutral airport, with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2029.
