As the aviation industry starts to recover from past global events, we see passenger numbers beginning to climb with some airports already forecasting to be pre-pandemic levels being met or surpassed. This is terrific news, and now the industry can start to look to the future and on how to accommodate the growth. Plans and ideas that had been put on hold are having the dust brushed of the plans and are once again seeing the light of day.
London Luton Airport have invested in previous years on their infrastructure to enhance aircraft flow to and from the runway, and also the overall passenger experience. This expansion is now continuing with the construction of a new aircraft apron complete with stands, and also an extension of the taxiway routing.
The contract to implement the new works was awarded to Ryebridge Construction Ltd who in the past have completed many projects at the airport. atg airports have been selected for the Airfield lighting element of the works which is expected to start in January 2023. The role for the atg airports installation team will not be limited to the airfield ground lighting and the installation of taxiway centreline, stopbar, edge lighting, and appropriate airfield signs. The scope of works also encompasses the supply and installation of new high mast lighting towers on the newly constructed aprons, along with the electrical infrastructure for the Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGPs) units.
New IGBT Micro200 Constant Current Regulators (CCR) are to be installed to power the LED taxiway lighting taking advantage of the near unity power factor of the CCR, and the reduced harmonic content ensuring maximum efficiency when reviewing power consumption. These CCR’s will be connected to the AGLCMS by ethernet connection.
The control system software will be modified to add the additional routes and stopbars that will now be available to the controllers. These services will be controlled and monitored by the use of switchable transformers (TSU’s) connected to the system at the localised substation