Celebrating Rhea’s Contributions to Pittsburgh International Airport’s Microgrid
Two years ago, Pittsburgh International Airport made serious waves in the aviation industry by establishing its own electrical microgrid. Rhea has been a partner in this development since the very beginning.
The move was intended to lower costs, improve energy resiliency, and to improve the PIT’s environmental sustainability. Two years in, the microgrid has been a resounding success, completely powering the the airport’s operations through on-site natural gas-fired generators and solar panels. Other airports have taken notice and plan to develop their own microgrids. You can read more about the current state of the PIT Microgrid on PIT’s Blue Sky News.
PIT’s journey to energy self-sufficiency began with on-site natural gas extraction. Rhea was there.
When natural gas was identified within PIT’s property, the airport contracted CONSOL Energy to plan drilling operations.
Rhea was subcontracted by CONSOL to complete an Environmental Assessment for the project, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The Environmental Assessment provided an overview of the planned gas wells’ potential environmental impacts, providing essential information for the project’s planning and permitting phases.
Rhea also led the public awareness process, which included public workshops like the one shown here.
Natural gas extraction at PIT has been both economically and environmentally beneficial, generating significantly fewer carbon emissions than traditional coal power.
PIT doubles down on solar energy, and Rhea helps make it happen.
With their own source of natural gas, the next step on PIT’s journey was electricity production. PIT installed five natural gas-fired generators and approximately 10,000 solar panels. In 2019, when the solar array was in its planning stages, Rhea was contracted to perform a wetland delineation to keep the project in line with its regulatory requirements.
Now, a second phase is planned for the solar photovoltaic array, considerably expanding on PIT’s existing solar capabilities. Once again, Rhea is providing environmental support. Rhea has assembled a Supplemental Environmental Assessment, updating the microgrid’s existing Environmental Assessment and keeping this important development in compliance with NEPA.
Rhea is thrilled to be one of PIT’s small business partners as they continue their journey to a sustainable future. Read more about our work for the aviation industry here.