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OLGA project’s first steps towards the environmental transition

OLGA (hOListic Green Airport) project aims to demonstrate the applicability of innovative environmental solutions at four airports, which are part of the consortium: Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Zagreb, Milan Malpensa, and Cluj. Yannael Billard, Senior Manager of Environment & Energy division at Groupe ADP, points out that “These solutions will be then rolled-out on a European scale”. For its part, Paris-CDG airport will finance 40 environmental efficiency actions meeting three main objectives: (1) flight operations; (2) passenger and freight transport, including energy savings in the terminals; (3) the airport community. These actions are varied, such as focusing on optimising lighting, reducing the electricity consumption of aircraft lighting and improving the biodiversity index.


Designing a new type of lighting


Most of the Groupe ADP terminals use artificial lighting from catalogues that are unspecifically designed for this type of infrastructure. Olivier Cornefert, principal architect in the ECP-Engineering Capital Projects department of Groupe ADP, explains: “This is why we are proposing to design a new type of innovative, replicable and generic lighting, perfectly suited to the passenger journey, particularly in the rehabilitation of existing terminals”. The objective is to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of airports, improve the passenger experience, enhance the architecture and optimise maintenance operations.

The project aims to provide innovative and environmental solutions by exploring, in partnership with Ingelux Consultants, all the following areas: design of lighting by type and function; improvement of energy performance and reduction of CO2 emissions; HCL (Human Center Lighting) system with adaptation of colour temperature to the circadian rhythm; generation and sharing of data throughout the passenger journey, including the use of Li-Fi technology; UV-C component for air and surface disinfection; maintainability and analysis of the product life cycle with a view to a circular economy and a zero waste objective; reduction of electronic components and longer life; plug and play; consideration of natural lighting; signage, etc.


Optimising usage


With regards to lighting, the environmental ambition also includes aircraft parking areas with a project linked to their temporal use. Thus, after the almost generalised switch to LED technology, which is essential for optimal control (see Lux 304), it is necessary to consider the appropriate management of this lighting (operator action, sensors, airport information, cameras, etc.). There are many possible solutions. However, it is a question of finding the best use of all this information in order to optimise the energy gain while reducing the light pollution.


Timeline


The two projects have similar timelines and sequencing: benchmark, study, tests and duplication. Aurélien Rodon, head of the Electricity Department of Groupe ADP, explains, “the ‘smart innovative lighting’ project is formed of five design and prototyping steps”. Thus:


  • Stage 1 - Preliminary research - Performance objectives Is related to the development of specific products, establishing the ambition of the project, defining achievable objectives, applying a problem-solving approach. Based on experience in airport lighting and other programmes, typical problems will be documented, benchmarked and analysed by ADP and Ingélux.

  • Step 2 - Design of 10 product solutions (lighting design and calculations, spacing, validation with computer graphics), materialised by design study notebooks.

  • Stage 3 - Detailed design of electronic and communication components, fixing elements - plug and play approach, optics, selection of materials (small footprint), creation of 3D files for construction (possibly 3D printing). Architectural and technical specifications for the production of prototypes will be established.

  • Stage 4 - Experimental testing of the prototypes. Realisation of the prototypes in a site reserved by ADP and publication of a complete documentation (photometric measurements, temperature measurements), technical tests for maintenance, and data, control tests, other visual aspects, appreciation of the light by travellers and operators.

  • Step 5 - Communication and dissemination. Development of "public spaces" prescriptions for the Groupe ADP airports and its partners; communication materials specific to the project; participation in trade shows, etc.


Note: Please note that a version in French of this article is available at: https://lux-revue-eclairage.fr/





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