LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has won this year's Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Environmental Achievement Award in the large-airport class for constructing the first retail hydrogen-fueling and generation station at an airport. The 10,500-square-foot station, that opened last Oct. 22, incorporates a commercial retail-friendly design, which will pave the way for future retail outlets.
At the station, hydrogen is produced on-site by using electrolysis, applying electricity to water in order to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules. The oxygen molecules are vented to the atmosphere and the hydrogen gas is compressed and stored for dispensing into fuel-cell vehicles. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles that eliminate all pollutant emissions. The new hydrogen fueling facility demonstrates Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA's) commitment to a comprehensive alternative-fuel vehicle program that is incorporated into daily airport operations.
In addition to LAX's top honor, ACI-NA also announced Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority as winner of its environmental achievement award for small to medium-sized airports and awarded honorable mention to Westchester County Airport. Ottawa constructed a glycol (used for de-icing aircraft) biotreatment system that prevents glycol from being released to neighboring Rideau River, which is an affluent of the Ottawa River and a tributary of the St. Lawrence River. Westchester County was recognized for designing and implementing an airport-wide environmental management system to coordinate the environmental activities of a complex network of eight county departments; several federal agencies; and numerous airport tenants, contractors and vendors.
"Airports' efforts in environmental stewardship continue to remain a priority in our industry. The recipients of this year's award demonstrate tremendous vision in addition to dedication in protecting the natural environment," said Sara Massey, ACI-NA manager of Technical and Environmental Affairs. "The award winners exemplify the strides airports take on a daily basis to exceed local, state, and federal regulations," she added.
LAWA Executive Director Kim Day said, "For over a decade, Los Angeles World Airports has been proud to embrace our responsibility to the environment by adopting clean-fuel technologies throughout our vehicle fleet." She added, "We believe hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles and fueling stations such as the one at LAX are important elements to meeting California's future energy needs."
LAWA has a program to identify and replace fossil-fuel vehicles and equipment with alternative-fuel models. Currently, over 400 (or more than half) of LAX's vehicle fleet is comprised of alternative-fuel vehicles -- including LNG-CNG (liquefied natural gas/compressed natural gas), electric and hybrid -- and further expansion of the fleet is planned.
The hydrogen-fueling station at LAX is a joint project among BP, Praxair, LAWA, South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Energy Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy -- all of which helped fund the nearly $2-million construction cost.
The station is being used to fuel hydrogen-powered demonstration cars supplied by a variety of automobile manufacturers. The facility also serves other Los Angeles City departments that have hydrogen-powered vehicles, and in the future, will serve private customers and other public agencies.
Airports Council International-North America represents national, state, regional and local governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States, Canada and the Virgin Islands. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all of the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America.
Los Angeles World Airports is a self-sustaining City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates four airports: LAX, Ontario International, Palmdale Regional and Van Nuys.