Ingenium is developing a strategic energy vision for The Brussels Airport Company within the project Energyvision 2020/2050. The developed roadmap offers the airport operator a clear view of energy opportunities and advises policy choices regarding energy infrastructure.

The size, organization and specificity of the airport presents specific opportunities and challenges. In terms of energy distribution, for example, it is not desirable to provide gas distribution everywhere. On the other hand, it is possible to upgrade and expand the existing heat network. In terms of electrical energy distribution, a transition from a public distribution network to a closed distribution network has been realized at the instigation of Ingenium.

In terms of energy production, an integrated vision has been developed that correlates various decentralized sources and the electrical consumption of the Brussels Airport Company. This analysis shows that 8 MW of cogeneration can be integrated into the existing central heat production in combination with the planned 5MWp of photovoltaic panels. The increasing share of internal electricity production in the limited distribution network may give rise to an undesirable shift in distribution network costs. This can best be avoided by strengthening the capacity term in the internal pricing structure.

Finally, several renovation and new construction projects will also fundamentally transform the airport. Each construction project offers opportunities to integrate renewable energy, such as energy storage in the ground.

The existing infrastructure can also be coherently optimized, such as by differentiating temperature levels in the heat grid. Energyvision offers insight into the potential of these techniques.