Denver International Airport (DIA), self-proclaimed the largest economic hub west of the Mississippi River, has been stirring the pot with its explorations into self-sustained electricity generation to cope with growing energy demands. The airport, according to KUNC, is actively seeking ideas ranging across the full energy spectrum, from nuclear to solar.
An RFI (Request for Information) is set to be posted by January, with airport CEO Phil Washington detailing a vision for reliance not just on the standard grid but a diversity of sources, ones which could even usher DIA towards selling surplus electricity. Addressing the community, Washington said, “We’re asking the private sector to think out of the box,” as reported by KUNC.
Despite ambitions to be, as Washington put it, “the greenest airport in the world,” DIA’s flirtations with nuclear options have led to significant friction, particularly after announcing a since-abandoned feasibility study on modular nuclear reactors. According to 9NEWS, this nuclear energy pursuit stirred distress among residents of District 11, leading Denver City Councilor Stacie Gilmore to push for its removal from the list of potentials.
DIA, serving around 82 million passengers and generating roughly $47 billion annually, faces impending growth requiring an energy ramp-up; expected numbers could reach 125 million passengers by 2045. This has been undergoing expansions outlined by Denver7, including new gates and a consolidated rental car facility. The airport aims to marry its expansion with environmental initiatives, aligning with Denver’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
The move to explore nuclear energy resulted in community backlash, causing DIA officials to revisit their approach to energy solutions. Reflecting this recalibration, Washington told Denver7, "It's important that we get things right, and so getting things right may mean changing course, and we're happy to do that." Meanwhile, the airport maintains that it targets options that will not harm people, emphasizing information gathering before breaking ground on any new facilities.
