Aviation Renewables

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Obstruction lighting can be difficult to access. It is often installed on remote towers or the tops of large buildings where conventional power may not be available. As such, the installation, operation, energy and maintenance costs of operating conventional obstruction lighting can be astronomical. For conventional lighting at a remote site, electricity must be brought in from far away sources or produced on site via generator or UPS. In addition, maintenance personnel must make constant visits to ensure the proper operation of the obstruction lighting. This whole endeavor can be a costly affair.

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Airfield Lighting System!

The Airfield lighting system fulfils a very important role in the critical process of airport operations. This includes operating even at the worst weather conditions.

Airfield lighting helps to guide aircraft in take-off, landing and even taxiing around the airfield.  It needs to be at the optimum level performance to ensure that the aircraft can constantly approach the runway and the apron areas at all times.  The electrical lighting teams are responsible for this airport electrical maintenance and it’s engineering. With the aid of computer controlled systems that are managed by air traffic controllers it has developed over the years gradually.  Just by using touch screen panels, and, even in low traffic airports, by pilot-controlled systems.

The basic lighting system has always been the same. However, with a dedicated power distribution and the monitoring system, each arrangement is customized to a specific airfield.  This is to meet the different runway layouts and the air traffic volumes. The circuits around the airfield actually operate like a ring main system. Each lamp has a reliable transformer attached to it and a stable current ensures that at the same airfield, the lights are at the same brilliance and luminance.

Safety in Working

Safe working practice randomly requires that the power should be isolated before work commences.  This includes removing an airfield lighting unit piece to replace example, such a bulb.  This is known as standard practice and proving dead. Airfield lighting systems may pose an immense danger to those working on them. These systems operate from constant current regulators (CCR) which are really designed to maintain a constant output. Typically it is around 6A, to ensure constant lamp luminosity. Obviously, it is not a good idea if an aircraft is coming in to land in such darkness.  Operation in the dark is a total danger and it is such a very bad threat to the whole aircraft.

The Test for voltage

Historically, there are two main types of voltage detector that is available.  These are the low voltage type testers that are used by electricians to automatically identify the circulating circuit voltages even up to around 700V. The other one is the other end of the scale which is the high voltage detectors mainly used in the power generation and distribution sector.  This is which are suitable for the indication of voltages that is between 6kV and 33kV.

The common practice has been that to use a current measuring device, in the absence of a competent suitable voltage detector.  This is typically a current clamp which is used to measure the output current.  However, because of this possibility for voltage to be present despite no current is detected.  This method does not prove that the system is isolated. The only safest method to prove the absence of voltage like for example to prove dead is to measure voltage. Always ensure that the safety of the teams working on the maintenance of this Airfield Lighting System is provided.  As to what extent, it has to be 100 % safe.

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The Basic Airport Lighting Requirements That You Need To Know!

Runways and taxiways are some of the components in an airport that require appropriate lighting if they are used during the night. Pilots cannot tell the difference between the green field and runways without the proper lighting to indicate the way. Typically, every port requires a reliable airfield lighting system to facilitate the crafts’ landing and taking off. In this regard, every facility require three types of power.

Firstly, any airport facility requires a primary source of power, which comes from electricity or solar. In most cases, these facilities connect to the local power grid, supplied by local power providers. However, some airports have embraced solar technology, and they are using it as the main source of power. Irrespective of the power source, airports that use LED lighting system manage to cut their operation cost significantly because they are reliable and energy efficient.  

Secondly, airport lighting system connects to an electric circuitry, whereby the fixtures connect to the power through cables. These cables can pass under the ground, through trenches or through ducts. These cables feed power to the main source of lights, for instance, visual approach indicators, runway and, taxiway lights.

Thirdly, a busy airport requires a secondary source of power to supplement the primary source of power. Power outages are common and they are beyond anyone’s control. Therefore, for an airport to run effectively, a secondary source of power, which can be solar, standby generators or batteries, is essential. The secondary power ensures that the airport operations continue running smoothly, even when there is a power outage.

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DALMAS Airfield Lighting Analysis (English)

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Systems Interface - Solar Powered NDB, Agalega Island, Mauritius

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Solar LED Runway and Approach Lighting

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Solar Series LED PAPI at International Airport in South America

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How Airports are Embracing Solar Airport Lighting Technology!

Airports are going solar, after discovering the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar energy. Typically, the incorporation of solar technology in airport lighting system is spreading globally, because of the high cost of energy. In fact, Cochin Airport is the first airport to use solar power to meet its power consumption needs.

The use of solar technology in airports is feasible because airports have a vast open land around them and, therefore, they can utilize this unused open space to tap the solar power. Significantly, the cost of power is very high and that is why airports are moving towards solar energy in order to reduce the operating cost. Solar energy is cheap, because it comes from the sun. In addition, it is green energy and it reduces carbon emission. Therefore, many airports are considering the option of using solar power.

Fundamentally, Cochin International Airport Limited in India was the pacesetter in using solar energy for airport lighting. Indeed, the airport launched its solar power plant in 2015. The economic pressure is real and that is why many airports are going to follow suit and go solar. Even if the airports do not rely on solar energy exclusively, they can use solar energy to supplement the other sources of power. This move could help the airports reduce their power consumption cost considerably.

Economic and environmental pressure is the main reason why solar energy is becoming a viable option in the aviation industry. Airports can significantly benefit from solar power because it is a natural source of energy. Indeed, many airports are considering this option and this might be the beginning of a mass exodus from using thermal and nuclear power to solar power.

You may also read more about  What Role Do Taxiway Lights Play in an Airport Lighting System?

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Solar Series LED PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) operating

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Aviation Renewables on Approach for Solar LED Runway Lighting Installation!

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Aviation Renewables on Approach for Solar LED Runway Lighting Installation

Aviation Renewables delivers industry-leading renewable power and lighting technologies custom designed for civil, military or medevac operations to increase...