1.

Cochin Airport is the world’s first airport to be powered by Solar

energy. How has Cochin Airport ensured that they get the right
balance between renewable source of energy and energy
efficiency?

a. For a world class international airport terminal like CIAL, it is

imperative for us to ensure we consume energy with minimal
carbon footprint. Based on that we decided we will generate our
requirements from renewable sources. However, what is equally
important is to ensure that the electricity generated is consumed
in an efficient manner. In that manner, CIAL has been a pioneer
in striking a balance between generating power through
renewable sources, mainly solar and further optimizing the
energy consumption and efficiency within the airport.

2. How important is it to optimize the HVAC system at the Cochin

Airport & why? What are the flip sides of not optimizing the
HVAC system?

a. HVAC system is a major energy consumption in CIAL, and

accounts close to 70% of the total energy needs of Airport. Our
HVAC systems have been designed for peak load, considering the
maximum number of passengers at our airport. However, the
number of people inside our airport keeps fluctuating on an
hourly basis, and works on part load only. If we do not optimize
our HVAC system, it will continue to work on full load irrespective
of the number of people in the airport, and will lead to higher
energy costs.

3. How critical are VFDs and PIBCVs in optimizing the HVAC

system? How many Danfoss VFDs and PIBCVs have been installed
at the Cochin Airport? To what extent have the VFDs and PIBCVs
been able to reduce the energy consumption? What impact does
it have on the operating costs of the airport?

a. Our HVAC system envisaged is complying with the relevant

ASHRAE standards for Energy efficiency requirements. This was
ensured right through the concept stage through implementation
with the support of our consultants M/s KITCO

b. In achieving this Variable Frequency Drives and Pressure

Independent Balancing & Control Valves play a very important
role. At our Airport, we have VFDs installed for pumps, AHUs
cooling towers, smoke fans etc, which have helped optimize the
speed of these critical components in the HVAC system and in
turn have reduced energy consumption by 20%. Moreover,
optimizing the HVAC system has helped enhance the life of the
mechanical components.
 c. In chilled water management, Pressure Independent Balancing &
Control Valves have been installed across the chilled water line
leading to the AHUs. PIBCVs, depending upon the load, help
optimize the pressure levels across the chilled water line avoiding
excess energy consumption and enhancing the efficiency of the
chiller and the pumps. The PIBCVs used at the Cochin Airport
have helped save energy consumption by 15%.

4. How have Danfoss VFDs and PIBCVs contributed to customer

comfort?
a. At the Cochin airport, it is our pursuit to deliver world-class
experience to our passengers. Given the constant movement of
people in and out of the airport, it becomes difficult to maintain
constant temperatures across the airport, without any manual
intervention. VFDs and the PIBCVs avoid under-cooling and over-
cooling and hence help us in maintaining precision in
temperatures irrespective of the number of people in the airport.
This helps us deliver a comfortable environment to our
passengers throughout the year.

5. How has the overall experience with Danfoss been?

Support offered by Danfoss was good at the time of

commissioning and are offering good service support also.