The world may soon have its first-ever nuclear-powered airport after a feasibility study has been launched following the catastrophic power outage that closed Heathrow Airport. At least 1350 flights to and from Heathrow Airport were affected by the outage earlier this year and the disruption continued for several days.
Now in an industry first, a US airport has announced it will be launching a study examining the feasibility of adding a new type of nuclear power source called a small modular reactor (SMR) to its campus, Conde Naste Traveller reports. This new, more modern type of reactor is thought to be a safe and a potentially more cost-effective method of harnessing nuclear power as well as being part of efforts to meet future clean energy needs. The airport has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to conduct the study, which will cost up to $1.25 million (£900,000).
UK passengers can fly directly to this airport. Both British Airways and United Airlines offer direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Denver International Airport (DEN). The flight time is typically around 9 hours and 50 minutes.
If the airport goes ahead industry experts estimate it will cost around $9.3billion (£6.8 billion) and would make Denver the greenest airport in the world. Denver is the third busiest airport in the US and the sixth busiest in the world, and passenger numbers are only expected to grow in the future. The airport estimates it will see 120 million annual passengers by 2045.
London Heathrow is the fifth busiest airport in the world with 83.9 million passengers compared to 82.4 million in Denver.
A resource like nuclear energy could help the airport meet increasing traveller demand while also shrinking its carbon output.
Elizabeth Babcock, executive director of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, said: “As we plan for a growing population and a changing climate, we must carefully assess all zero-emission options that can deliver reliable power, while weighing potential costs and environmental impacts to ensure a sustainable future.”
Airports around the world are investing in renewable energy, with solar panels being the most popular technology. Denver officials say that nuclear power would be a reliable energy source to complement the airport’s 100 acres of solar panels—as well as potential energy from wind or geothermal power—all of which can be intermittent, weather-dependent power sources.
In 2021 America set a target for the aviation sector to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The FAA has since awarded funding grants for solar panel installation and other sustainable technology initiatives, such as electric buses, at various airports across the US.
Many UK airports have also committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with the UK’s overall climate goals. Some airports are investing in on-site renewable energy sources like solar power.
The Denverstudy is estimated to cost $1.25 million (£920,000) and will take between six to 12 months to complete. However, the launch has been temporarily delayed to allow time for the Denver Airport to “incorporate feedback from City Council and conduct some initial community outreach,” a DEN spokesperson told Condé Nast Traveler.
When the study does get underway, airport officials hope to learn how much of the facility’s power could run on nuclear energy and if SMR is a viable option to meet the airport’s long-term needs. The research should also help determine the cost of running the reactors, potential funding options, the risks involved, and what type of government regulation would be needed.
Denver Airport CEO Phil Washington said: “We recognise that the technology is still relatively new and there is much to learn, which is why DEN will conduct a feasibility study to gather facts and information about whether SMRs could potentially help the airport meet its energy demand and clean energy goals in the future, as well as potential challenges.”
He added: “We know that anything we would do would require significant investment so, we are keeping an open mind, learning more and continuing to responsibly plan for the airport’s future.”
