Replacing inefficient terminals with modern buildings

Heathrow East will cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 40% compared to the buildings it replaces.

Using on-site combined, cooling heat and power (CCHP)

Conventional power plants only convert about 35% of the energy in the fuel that they burn into electricity. CCHP plants typically convert over 80% of the energy in the fuel that they burn into electricity, heat or cooling. This means less fuel is needed to produce the same results. Some 85% of Terminal 5’s heat needs are provided by combined, heat and power.

Optimising the performance of our existing buildings and processes

We run a series of hearts and minds campaigns across the airport, focused on staff and our partners taking accountability for turning non-essential power off.

Installing intelligent building management systems

These intelligent building management systems automatically turn off machinery that is not in use and dim lights in unoccupied areas.

Investing in renewables

Heathrow East will be one of the first major developments to use renewable biomass gasification. This process generates a renewable gas from locally sourced waste wood and sustainable forests that can then be used to fuel the CCHP plant. The development will also have photovoltaic solar panels on its roof to turn the sun’s energy into electricity.

Reducing water usage

Our rainwater harvesting system reuses 85% of all the rainwater that falls on the Terminal 5 site.

Recycling waste and turning waste into energy

BAA has a target of recycling or composting 40% of its waste by 2010 and 70% of its waste by 2020. We are also investigating the possibility of turning our non-recyclable waste into energy.

Trialling innovative zero-carbon electricity

Heathrow will be one of the first sites in Britain to trial generating zero-carbon energy from waste heat.