Denver International Airport wants to pump its jet fuel to the planes without leaving a carbon footprint.

The airport has struck a deal with a partnership of two renewable energy companies, one based in Denver, to construct a nine-acre, 1.6 megawatt solar generating facility at the north end of DIA. There, it will provide all of the electricity for the airport’s fuel farm located there.

“We expect this project to reduce energy costs for our airline and cargo business partners over the 20-year term of the agreement,” Kim Day, Denver’s aviation manager, said today. “DIA has a widespread reputation as a ‘green’ airport, and this project is another example of our commitment to environmental responsibility.”

Aerial view of DIA's fuel farm, looking north, where a new solar generating facility will be built nearby. It is on the north side of the airport, just east of the north end of Runway 16L-36R. Google Earth image.

The agreement faces approval by the Denver City Council before taking effect. DIA officials filed ordinances with the council office to accomplish that.

The agreement is with Oak Leaf Energy Partners, which has its offices in lower downtown Denver, and MP2 Capital of San Francisco. The cost of the facility is $7 million. In exchange for building it, the partners will sell electricity to the airport for 90 percent of the cost of the power DIA now buys from Xcel Energy to operate the jet fuel storage and distribution facility.

DIA at sunset. The airport's second solar generating field would be built on the north side of the airfield near the jet fuel farm. DIA Photo.

“The proposed environmentally friendly solar facility at Denver International Airport promises to provide long-term cost savings to airport stakeholders while reaffirming the airlines’ ongoing commitment to cleaner energy,” said Air Transport Association President and CEO James C. May.

Day said the airport’s 20 airline members of the DIA fuel committee and the Aircraft Service International Group helped to make the project a reality. The DIA fuel committee is chaired by Bob Sturtz, United Airlines’ managing director of strategic sourcing/fuels.

The system is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

DIA has taken other renewable energy initiatives, including the construction of a $13 million photovoltaic project covering seven acres south of the main terminal, visible to all public traffic approaching the site on Pena Boulevard. It’s 10,000 solar panels generate 3.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

The airport also has set goals for carbon reduction through such things as assessing lower gate fees to hybrid-power taxi cabs. DIA also has goals for reducing paper and water consumption and increased transit use.

DIA installed a 7-acre, $13 million solar generating facility on the front lawn of the Jeppesen Terminal that produces 3.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. DIA Photo.