Denver International Airport (DIA) has made headlines for its request for proposals (RFP) for small modular reactors (SMRs) last summer. However, the airport is now expanding its request to include a variety of energy solutions, such as hydrogen, geothermal, and wind technologies.
According to DIA CEO Phil Washington, this new request is part of the airport’s goal to become energy independent and potentially create a new revenue stream by selling excess energy to developments. This move towards energy resilience is not unique to DIA, as other airports have also experienced extended power outages and are looking for ways to decrease reliance on the aging US power grid.
In fact, a January 2025 article from the Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering highlighted the increasing need for airports to address their complex energy demands, especially with the rise of electric vehicles. This concern has also been recognized by the Government Accountability Office, which identified 321 outages lasting at least five minutes in two-dozen US airports from 2015 to 2022.
To address these challenges, DIA is looking into creating a microgrid, a self-sustaining electrical network that can operate independently from the larger grid during emergencies. The airport already has 11 solar arrays that can produce 50 megawatts of electricity, and it is also working with Xcel Energy on other energy-saving measures and installations.
This push towards energy resilience is not without its challenges, as evidenced by the recent news of Coca-Cola’s decision to move its planned bottling plant away from DIA due to delays in receiving electricity from Xcel Energy. This has sparked criticism of the utility company’s slow delivery and service, as seen in the lawsuit filed by real estate developer Brightland Homes.
Despite these challenges, DIA remains committed to its goal of energy independence and is already seeing growth in its economic impact. Washington notes that the airport currently supports $47 billion in economic activity and is expected to continue growing with the addition of 50 new gates and a consolidated rent-a-car facility.
As DIA continues to expand and accommodate more passengers, the need for reliable and sustainable energy sources becomes increasingly important. With this new RFP, the airport hopes to find innovative solutions that will not only benefit the airport but also contribute to the larger goal of energy resilience in the aviation industry.