KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Think about driving to the new single terminal at KCI and being a solar farm. Those with the city say it is a reality and could cut down on costs.
"We are constantly losing hot air, we are constantly losing cold air in the summer so, a new design will significantly improve the sustainability of the facility," said Justin Meyer, Deputy Director of Aviation.
Tonight at 6: Plans to make the new single terminal at @KCIAirport have renewable energy. The goal is 100% renewable energy. There’s talk of solar panel farms on parking garages or other parts of the property. @KCIEdgemoor @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/IIyc4fTQBF
— Steven Dial (@StevenDialTV) July 5, 2018
Something as simple as doors opening and closing, 24 hours a day, increases energy costs at KCI. With the new single terminal, energy sources are being talked about a lot.
"So what is happening right now is the architects, engineers and airlines are having the conversation and one of the things they are looking at is solar panels, wind energy, electric busses and how do you power those buses," said Councilwoman Jolie Justus.
Justus chairs the airport committee. She said the 100 percent renewable energy goal is big, but not unattainable.
"I think it is absolutely possible to have an airport that is 100 percent renewable energy. It is a lot easier to do that today than it would have been to do five years ago," said Justus.
Jason Meyer says one suggestion was to put solar panels on parking garages. One problem — they could distract air traffic controllers.
"We have a lot of land, more than 10,000 acres and so there is a lot of opportunities, either on the new terminal site or around the facility," said Meyer.
The FAA must approve any plan like solar panels and other forms of energy.
The opening date for the new terminal is delayed until 2022. New renderings will be released in a few weeks.
