Hartsfield-Jackson recognized for energy efficient efforts

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials and Georgia Power leadership celebrated the completion of the latest energy efficiency upgrades at the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.

At a special event in the Airport atrium, Georgia Power presented a $45,901 rebate check to Hartsfield-Jackson as part of the company’s Commercial Energy Efficiency program. Hartsfield-Jackson earned the rebate by upgrading halogen lamps in more than 16,000 runway and taxiway fixtures to energy-efficient LEDs throughout the airport’s north and south airfields in 2014. The Airport is the first in the world to have an all LED fixture airfield, and continues Hartsfield-Jackson’s efforts to become the most sustainable airport in the world.

“At the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, we work tirelessly to be one of the most sustainable airports in the world,” said Miguel Southwell, aviation general manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “We are grateful for our partnership with Georgia Power on our airfield LED lighting project and look forward to working together on future energy efficiency initiatives.”

The new LEDs, which have a lifespan of 200,000 hours, last longer than incandescent lamps, and significantly reduce energy requirements. The LEDs were installed in runway edge lights, runway centerline lights, runway guard lights, taxiway guard lights and taxiway centerline lights.

“We’re committed to collaborating with our customers to meet their energy needs, improve their efficiency and help them save on their overall energy costs,” said Michele Wagner, energy efficiency director for Georgia Power. “We congratulate Hartsfield-Jackson, and the City of Atlanta, for a continued focus on sustainability and dedication to energy efficiency.”

Georgia Power estimates that Hartsfield-Jackson may be able to save more than 2,000,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually through the improvements. The Airport is continuing efforts to replace all runway and taxiway lighting with energy efficient LEDs with 6,000 additional fixtures to be retrofitted in 2015.