QUITO AIRPORT SOLAR PARK
Renewable Solar Energy Park for Mariscal Sucre International Airport project which will cover the airport’s energy needs for the next 30 years.
Overview
The “Mariscal Sucre International Airport”, is a fairly modern airport built 30 miles east from downtown Quito, and it is linked to the city by 3 main roads. When the airport was built almost 10 years ago, part of the commitment of the project was to create a renewable energy and environmentally friendly power source. This has not taken place. This project will try to fulfill that promise, while at the same time, lower the airport operational costs and provide the national grid with added capacity in the long term, looking to have this new project cover it energy needs for the next 30 years.
Solar Park
Power Requirements
Currently the airport needs are about 1.5 Mw/h per month; therefore to cover these needs, future growth of about 10%/year, and an expansion of the export facilities adjacent to the terminal with cool storage facilities, it has been thought of increasing the solar park capacity by 30%, and taking into account the fact that a solar array will have between 10 hours a day of active power production, and the subsequent 10-14 hours will rely on a set of batteries for power storage during the day and utilization during the night.
Capacity
120 mw installed capacity
Storage
36 Mw battery storage facility
Area
200 hectares solar park
250 watts
Solar Panels
20%
Efficiency
36 Mw
Battery storage
Project Size
Power needed is 1.5 mw/h plus 25% = 2.25Mw/h or 48Mw net capacity.
Panel size: 250 watts or 0.25 kw/panels at 20% efficiency plus capacity for power storage will need an additional 140% of capacity or 81mw. Total capacity needed for solar power generation will be 120 mw installed capacity solar park plus a 36 Mw battery storage facility.
Location
The land needed for the solar park is 200 hectares available close to the airport and although this area is owned by the city of Quito, it is still part of the airport 99 year lease and is open to use on such projects.
Cost
Initial estimated cost for power production and power storage for a 48Mw solar project and approximate 120 Mw installed capacity and 36 Mw power storage, is currently still being assessed at this time depending on bids, and will be offered to US/Canadian and European companies.
Project Developer
GreenVest Energy LLC, Miami, Florida.
