Opcon technology improves energy efficiency at Bahrain airport

Svenska Rotor Maskiner (SRM), a subsidiary of Opcon AB, the energy and environmental technology Group, has won a breakthrough order for core components to Cavotec MSL’s PCAir, a completely new pre-conditioned air system for cooling aircraft. The Cavotec MSL unit, built with support from SRM’s system patent, is to be delivered for the extension of Bahrain airport and provides significant environmental advantages compared with conventional cooling systems. The order is worth around SEK 14 million with delivery set for 2010. The order represents a commercial breakthrough for a technology developed by Svenska Rotor Maskiner over a long period where the first prototypes were delivered to Cavotec MSL in 2007. Cavotec MSL’s PCAir system uses technology from Svenska Rotor Maskiner to expand dry, compressed air in order to cool parked aircraft. Pilots often run auxiliary power units (APUs) to cool their aircraft and these units can consume between 200 and 600 litres of fuel per hour. Cavotec MSL’s new system does not use any refrigerants, but uses air instead, which provides major environmental benefits. Furthermore, the time needed to cool an aircraft can be cut in half. “This has good prospects of becoming an important product of the future for Opcon, both in terms of production and on the aftermarket. Cavotec MSL’s cold air system cuts costs for airports while generating significant environmental benefits and saving energy. I also consider that the current focus on the climate threat and airport emissions will help to speed up the breakthrough for this technology. It’s difficult to predict just how big this will be for Opcon, but this current order is for 15 units and there is room for installing a single unit, sometimes two per airport gate, so the potential is considerable," says Rolf Hasselström, President and CEO of Opcon. Cavotec MSL is listed on the New Zealand stock exchange and is among other a leading global supplier of ground support at airports. The company reported sales of around EUR 140 million in 2008.