Commercial, Energy Procurement, GHG Emissions  -  August 20, 2024

DFW Airport to Build Electric Central Utility Plant

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) plans to build an innovative electric Central Utility Plant (eCUP) that will be fueled primarily by electricity the airport purchases from 100% renewable sources.

Eaton, a power management company, received the contract to help the airport reach its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2030 by using renewable energy and will also  provide additional capacity to address future heating and cooling demand as the airport grows.

The project is supported by partial funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Eaton’s equipment contribution to the project is valued at nearly $10 million and expected to be installed in the spring of 2025.

Eaton is providing DFW with the electrical infrastructure, services and expertise needed to help safely construct the central utility plant, including:

• Vital power distribution equipment, including medium- and low-voltage assemblies, panelboards, medium-voltage transformers, busway and more to establish a safe, reliable electrical backbone for the utility plant.
• Engineering services and consultation to safely startup equipment and perform essential power system, electrical safety studies.
• Experienced support as a longtime government contractor to meet the federal government’s funding requirements for infrastructure projects.

“We’re proud to be part of this pioneering sustainability project that demonstrates how to simultaneously expand a critical building’s footprint while reducing environmental impact,” said Angie McMillin, president of Energy Solutions and Services at Eaton, in a statement. “There’s substantial federal support for infrastructure investments enabling far more resilient and sustainable energy systems. Providing the solutions, services and expertise needed to help the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport make this project a reality showcases our ability to help customers reduce emissions while improving reliability and return on investment.”

To streamline this project, Eaton helped DFW demonstrate compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Project (AIP) funds and domestic preference requirements.

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