Brussels, 28/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - Using funding from the European Commission, European researchers have developed a new software to reduce CO2 emissions and energy costs in airports, even though air traffic is constantly on the increase. Known as CASCADE, the system is currently being tested in a pilot phase in the airports of Fiumicino (Rome) and Malpensa (Milan), where it is expected to lead to savings of at least 6,000 MWh, or 42,000 tons of CO2 and €840,000 a year. “I believe 100% that our airports need to become smarter and greener. The CASCADE system shows us that being sustainable doesn't have to cost a fortune, and that it can actually save us money”, said the European commissioner for the digital strategy, Neelie Kroes.
CASCADE enjoys financial support from the EU in the order of€2.6 million, granted under the seventh framework research programme, and is being developed by partners from Germany, Italy, Ireland and Serbia. It also has the backing of ACI Europe (Airports Council International), which represents more than 450 airports in Europe. The system works by using sensors and meters placed on the infrastructure to harvest data. These are fed into a central database, which is then able to detect faults and energy wastage, such as fans operating when they are not required, simultaneous use of heating and cooling, controllers etc. The maintenance teams are kept informed and can then take steps to remedy the errors observed. It is expected that the system will be rolled out from 2015. According to the coordinator of CASCADE, Nicolas Réhault, the system can also be used in other buildings with highly complex management needs, such as hospitals and banks, and it could be downscaled to simpler things as well. (IL)