Texas A&M to improve air quality, energy efficiency at Houston airports

Travelers move through Bush Intercontinental Airport, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Houston. The airport recently received a 4-star rating from Skytrax, making Houston one of just two cities in the world with two airports with an above-four-star-rating from Skytrax. ( Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle ) less Travelers move through Bush Intercontinental Airport, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Houston. The airport recently received a 4-star rating from Skytrax, making Houston one of just two cities in the world with two ... more Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas A&M to improve air quality, energy efficiency at Houston airports 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A planned Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station is designed to improve energy efficiency and air quality at Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports.

The potentially $30 million-plus project, largely funded by the state Comptroller's Texas LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program, is expected to reduce the airports' utility costs by more than $1.3 million annually.

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"In Texas A&M we've found a partner with the right expertise that, paired with our airport industry know-how, will advance the science of operating this large-scale enterprise more efficiently and cost effectively from an energy standpoint," Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz said in a news release.

The project will replace outdated equipment, controls, baggage handling systems and lighting at the airports. Four chillers will be installed at a new utility plant, and a solar array will be part of the new shading canopies.

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The project will also provide Ph.D. students in the Texas A&M University System with hands-on experience in construction management.

The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station is an engineering research agency and member of the Texas A&M University System.