Sun, Oct 25, 2015
When Completed, It Will Be The Largest Such System In North America
If you're flying in or out of Nashville International Airport, you're going to be seeing some interesting construction taking place east of Runway 2R/20L. In an innovative use of a former rock quarry, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) has broken ground on what will be the largest geothermal lake plate cooling system in North America. The historic sustainability project is expected to be completed in summer 2016.
Located east of Donelson Pike and Nashville International Airport (BNA) Runway 2R/20L is the former 43-acre Hoover rock quarry, with an average depth of 150 feet, containing approximately 1.5 billion gallons of water. At a depth of 50 feet, the water is 50 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
The project takes advantage of that cool temperature by circulating water through geothermal heat exchangers submerged in the quarry to the airport terminal’s central plant, providing cooling for the entire terminal. In addition to the geothermal system, the project will also allow for the use of the quarry water for landscape irrigation.
“This is a remarkable project for its scope, ingenuity and efficiency,” said Rob Wigington, president and CEO of MNAA. “The Airport Authority is committed to making sustainability an integral part of our business model. Not because sustainability is easy—rather, it is often a complex process—but because the benefits to our airports, the region and our environment are overwhelmingly positive. This historic project will significantly reduce our electricity usage and potable water consumption, which will result in substantial annual utility savings. This is the very essence of sustainability.”
The project is expected to reduce electricity usage by 6,000 kilowatts of peak demand and result in annual savings of 1.3 million kilowatt-hours and 30 million gallons of potable water. The utility savings to MNAA are expected to be more than $430,000 per year.
(Images provided with MNAA news release)
More News
Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]
Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]
Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.01.24): Say Altitude
See All