Memmingen Airport has been sourcing green electricity “ÖkostromPlus” since October 2024.

To ensure the airport’s operation, electricity and heat are partly generated through a de-centralised solution via combined heat and power plants. The biogas required as fuel for the engine is obtained directly from the biogas producer, Bitzer, from Hawangen via the company’s own north-south supply route. The CHP unit is switched on when there is insufficient electricity from wind and solar energy in the country. The electricity is then fed into the grid, and the heat is temporarily stored in the large external storage tank. Various components in the AEM heating centre round off the green portfolio of renewable energies in use.

Information on the heating infrastructure and district heating network:

• Raw biogas CHP: 1,500 kW (electrical) and 1,700 kW (thermal)
• Existing CHP unit: 250 kW (electrical) and 290 kW (thermal)
• Buffer tank: 300,000 litres
• Heat generation: approx. 14,000 MWh/year
• Wood pellet system
• Length of district heating network: approx. 7 km

Memmingen Airport has taken receipt of a completely new lighting system. In 2019, a switch was made to LED technology for the take-off & landing lighting with edge, centreline and touchdown zone lighting. In addition to this development, the lighting and screens in the terminal and administrative buildings were converted to LED, as was some of the lighting in the car parks.

At Memmingen Airport, solar energy is harnessed directly on-site to generate electricity. Photovoltaic systems have been installed on the new carport—measuring approximately 50 by 11 meters—and on the roof of the Airport Service Center, among other locations. With a peak output of 105.12 kWp from the carport system and 30.6 kWp from the Airport Service Center system, the installed modules achieve a combined capacity of 135.72 kWp.

The carport serves a dual purpose: its photovoltaic modules generate electricity while simultaneously providing a roof for the parking spaces beneath. Translucent glass-glass modules from the manufacturer Solarwatt are used for this installation.

A significant portion of the generated solar power can be consumed directly on-site. It supplies the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, which includes two fast chargers and—looking ahead—up to 18 charging points. Additionally, the electricity is used within the Airport Service Center, for instance, to power the air conditioning systems for the tenants located there. An intelligent load management system coordinates electricity generation and consumption.

Any solar power not required at this specific location can be utilized in neighboring airport buildings. Generating and consuming electricity in such close proximity also reduces the need for additional power distribution lines.

A grid-connected photovoltaic system has also been in operation on the baggage hall since late 2023; this system avoids an estimated 143,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually. Through these measures, Memmingen Airport is continuing to expand its solar power generation across various locations on the site.