The Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM) in Mexico City is one of the busiest airports in Latin America. Mexico City has been host to Air Force One – a Boeing 747-200B – as well as other high-profile worldwide transports. The airport has become the main gateway to the capital country for national and international visitors and a strategic point for conducting business and connectivity around the world. On a typical day, more than 100,000 passengers pass through the airport to and from more than 100 destinations on three continents.
Keeping the power on for visual navigation systems to guide aircraft during landings and takeoffs is paramount. While the airport has sophisticated power protection systems in place, it required an even higher level of protection to assure fail-safe operations. To meet this need, 900kW of VYCON’s VDC clean energy kinetic energy storage units were selected to take over power protection when other equipment failed to quickly bridge power to the airport’s onsite generators.
“We’re pleased to add VYCON’s systems to our power infrastructure, as safety and continuous operation are areas where we cannot comprise,” said Tomas Reyes, Director of Engineering at AICM. “VYCON’s patented technology and long track record of reliability gives us the assurance that the added level of redundant power will provide us with fail-safe operations.
During a power disturbance, VYCON’s kinetic energy storage systems provide instant back-up power and will seamlessly transfer to the airport’s generators if the power outage is prolonged. Instead of depending on lead-acid batteries – which are unpredictable and require costly maintenance and replacement – VYCON’s VDC stores energy kinetically by spinning a mass around an axis. Electrical input spins the kinetic rotor up to speed, and a standby charge keeps it spinning 24/7 until called upon to release the stored clean energy. AICM chose VYCON over the competition, in part because unlike other systems, VYCON’s rotating motor / generator does not require expensive bearing replacement and the associated downtime. This savings provides AICM with a high return on its investment. In addition, the green aspects of the kinetic energy storage was of keen interest – saving the airport from costly battery maintenance and disposal of toxic materials.
“With the frequent power disturbances that the Mexico City Airport has to deal with, VYCON’s systems are the perfect solution to provide power when all other equipment fails,” said Victor Mendez Zavala, Sales Director with IGSA Power Systems. “Being in a tropical location, Mexico is subject to not only unpredictable weather, but also high heat conditions. The VYCON systems perform flawlessly and will provide the added level of power continuity that the airport requires. We are pleased that we could offer this proven power solution for the airport’s needs as well as to our other mission-critical customers here in Latin America.”
“This contract from AICM is a great testament to the reliability and cost-effectiveness of our clean kinetic energy storage systems,” said Frank DeLattre, President of VYCON. “We are honored to be chosen to raise the level of protection of the airport’s critical navigation systems while providing a lower cost of operation. VYCON’s systems are used around the globe to assure power security and availability for mission-critical operations, and we’re proud to add AICM to our distinguished customer portfolio.”
For more information on VYCON’s innovative green power solutions, contact VYCON at sales@vyconenergy.com or visit VYCON’s web site at: www.vyconenergy.com.