Baggage Handling Systems at Airports

A new means of maximising energy efficiency in airports is being offered by Vanderlande Industries UK, the British subsidiary of the Dutch materials handling company, and the largest supplier and operator of baggage handling systems in the world.

Designed to reduce energy consumption of an airport’s baggage handling system by up to 50 per cent, lessen the carbon footprint and minimise operational costs, the method involves an energy scan that maps and examines existing energy consumption. Solutions are then ranked in CO2 savings, revenue savings and payback period.

The development of the energy scan has been based on more than 60 years experience by Vanderlande in the design and implementation of integrated logistics solutions of all sizes. This gives the company the insight to be able to focus on system, operational and process aspects. Explaining the background to the new energy scan method, David Rothwell, head of sales of Vanderlande Industries UK says:

“The demand for sustainable solutions in airports has increased greatly in the last few years. Energy saving and consequent carbon footprint reduction have become the new targets. However, with tight budgets, investment needs to provide a fast return. Our energy scan shows that this is possible.”

The company has already carried out an energy scan on the baggage handling system at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands. This examined potential energy saving opportunities by measuring the baggage flow in combination with the energy consumption. Using a simulation model, Vanderlande calculated the possible impact on power consumption of several energy saving measures.

The results, together with Vanderlande’s advice on eco-efficient upgrades resulted in an energy reduction of 50 per cent and a payback period of two-and-a-half years. Importantly, the modifications were able to be made without any disturbance in the operational performance of the baggage handling system. mCommenting on the energy efficiency work carried out by Vanderlande at Eindhoven, the airport’s manager of facilities and technical support, Leon Wernaarts says:

“We want to be the first CO2 neutral airport in the Netherlands by 2015. Mapping the energy consumption and carbon footprint of our baggage handling system was a step in this direction, and Vanderlande showed its expertise in the area.

“The system modifications resulted in significant energy reduction without having any negative impact on the system performance. Together with a positive return on investment, it is definitely money well spent.”

As part of its commitment to reducing carbon footprints, Vanderlande Industries’ latest innovations in advanced technologies include GREENVEYOR, an energy efficient baggage conveyor.

GREENVEOR sets a new standard in energy efficiency and contributes to a greener baggage handling operation and offers potential energy savings of up to 45%. As 80% of a typical baggage handling system consists of conveyor belts, GREENVEYOR can therefore substantially contribute to the improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint now demanded of airports. GREENVEYOR is available as part of a complete system refit or as an upgrade to an existing system.

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About Vanderlande Industries UK
Vanderlande Industries UK provides automated material handling systems and accompanying services. It is active in the markets for baggage handling at airports, distribution centres and parcel and postal sortation facilities.

The Company implements material handling systems of all sizes, ranging from many local sorting depots, airports and distribution centres to the world’s largest facilities. The company ranks among the top 5 worldwide in its field, and in baggage handling is a leading supplier. Vanderlande Industries UK is a subsidiary of Vanderlande Industries, the Dutch technology company.