Electrical Load Estimation for Saudi Arabian Airports

This guide provides a concise overview of electrical load estimation for airports in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the unique
requirements of these facilities. A case study of an international airport with a built-up area of 680,000 m² and serving
35 million passengers annually is used to illustrate the principles and methodologies discussed. This handbook will be
a valuable resource for those involved in the planning, design, and operation of airport facilities in the region.

❖ Electrical load analyses

▪ Basic design assumptions for electrical load analyses:
➢ Chilled water for the Passenger Terminal will be produced outside the Passenger Terminal.
➢ Supply air flow rates are those for the least favorable period of the year (refer to the HVAC specification);
outside this period, supply air requirements will be lower, but it is the least favorable case that must be used for
the sizing of requirements.
➢ The electrical requirements of aircraft parked at passenger loading bridges form part of Passenger Terminal
electric power requirements.
➢ The power requirements for lighting near the Passenger Terminal (width approximately 100m) form part of the
Power Terminal requirements.
➢ The power requirement for hotels, shops, and VIP lounges forms part of the Power Terminal requirement.
➢ The power requirement for People Mover forms part of the Passenger Terminal requirement.
➢ The power requirement for runway lighting does not form part of the Passenger Terminals requirement.
➢ The power requirement airfield lighting does not form part of the Passenger Terminals requirement.
➢ The electricity required from outdoor car parks does not form part of the Passenger Terminals Requirement.
➢ The electricity required by train stations does not form part of Passenger Terminals Requirements.
➢ In a general way, any equipment mentioned in detailed load analysis does not form part of Passenger Terminals
Requirements.

▪ Method of calculation:
➢ During the concept design will be used to look at similar operations (either existing ones or those that are
further along in the design process) to estimate the electrical power needs for the current project. This
approach is especially useful for understanding the power requirements of major technical equipment like
passenger loading bridges and PCA units, which are crucial in airport operations.

o Bases of Calculation for Operating in Normal Mode (SEC Source Present)

➢ When operating in normal mode with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) source present, electric power
requirements can be estimated using one of two methods:
Estimation Based on Overall Floor Area

This method uses a ratio in VA/m² to estimate the power requirements. The specific ratios are as follows:

• Lighting: This includes lighting in shops and the airside area surrounding the Passenger Terminal. The
power demand ratio is 20 VA/m².
lighting in the transportation center is 15 VA/m².
lighting in the Car park places lighting: 2.5 VA/m² - Car roads and slopes lighting: 2.5 VA/m² - Circulation
and Pedestrian roads lighting: 6 VA/m² - Pick up area lighting: 2.5 VA/m² - Technical rooms lighting: 10
VA/m²
A ratio of 20 VA/m² (as an example) for lighting corresponds to a ratio of 16 W/m² with an average cosine phi
of 0.8 for light fittings.
• Small Power and Other Utilities: includes small power, plumbing, sprinklers, and sundry low-power
equipment.
In the terminal, the power demand ratio is 15 VA/m².
In the car park, the power demand ratio is 5 VA/m².
In the transportation center, the power demand ratio is 15 VA/m².
 • A ratio of 15 VA/m² for various equipment corresponds to the average power available and supplied by the
MV/LV transformers in each zone to terminal equipment such as advertising display boards, socket outlets
in shops, plumbing installations, sprinklers, etc. This ratio accounts for a major diversity that is applied, for
example, for equipment connected to socket outlets. The power available at each socket outlet in each
position will be greater than this average value of 15 VA/m² since only a small portion of the equipment is
installed in many areas in the PT. Such as the passenger halls, baggage pick-up areas, plane loading areas,
and traffic leading to plan loading areas require a ratio as high as this.

• This is all the truer given that:

Airport signs will be supplied with power by the IT/ULV network described hereafter, BHS equipment is not
included in the 15 VA/m² ratio since specific transformers will be installed for the BHS.

Estimation Based on Specific Technical Equipment

This method involves applying a unit power demand figure for each specific technical equipment that has been
installed at specific times of the day.

• IT/ULV Equipment

IT/ULV (Information Technology and Ultra Low Voltage) installations include office workstations, screening
equipment; the terminal’s telecommunications systems (public address), and dynamic signaling display
systems. The power demand has been estimated at 2000 KVA for the entire PTC which is comparable to the
power demand in airports of the same size as the built-up area is 680,000M2 and service for 35M person.
Regarding IT/ULV equipment, it is not possible at this stage of design work to break down requirements per
Zone (Zone A, Zone B, etc.).

For this type of power demand, the diversity factor of I has been applied.

• Elevators, Escalators, Travellators

The power demand has been estimated at 1000 KVA for the entire PTC which is comparable to the power
demand in airports of the same size as mentioned above.

• Main electrical equipment for the BHS

The power demand for BHS has been estimated in comparison with other airports of comparable size, as
follows:

1. 4,000 kVA for each unit in the main Processor zone

2. 2,000 kVA for each unit in the central zone of the Terminal
3. 2,500 kVA for each unit in the Hub International zone
A diversity factor of 0.7 has been applied to the normal operation of BHS electrical equipment in load analysis
since each area mentioned above all conveyors and other items will not be working at the same time.

• Main electrical equipment for the People Mover

For the People Mover, power demand has been estimated in comparison with other airports of a
comparable size. For this power demand, a diversity factor of 1 has been applied.

• HVAC equipment

For the HVAC trade, the power demand for the following main equipment has been defined for each zone (A, B,
etc.) by the HVAC trade:
 4. Fan coils, HVAC BHS sorting, HVAC BHS makeup.
5. Air Handling Units
6. Heating coils
• Power requirements for smoke management

The power demand for smoke management installations is only accounted for when electric power is
supplied in "safety" mode because the operation of smoke venting installations in a given area of the building
automatically cuts off the AHUs in the same area.
The power load analysis has therefore been established on the following basis:
1. operation in normal supply mode accounts for the power demand of AHUs only.
2. operation in safety supply mode accounts for the power demand of smoke venting installations
only.

• Technical equipment for planes

The power to be supplied to the Pax loading bridges is as follows:

1. 35 kVA is needed to move the loading bridge. This power is only required during the time it takes to move
the loading bridge, i.e., for a very short period. Of these 35 kVA, only 8 kVA are needed permanently to
maintain the loading bridge in a horizontal position about the plane during passenger loading and
unloading. Consequently, the 8 kVA value has been selected for the load analysis and for sizing the
transformers, and the 35 kVA value has been selected for sizing the low-voltage circuit breaker and
supply cable to each loading bridge.
2. 10 kVA to air-condition the loading bridges themselves.
The total power demand included in the load analysis for each loading bridge is 18 kVA.
The power to be supplied to the Pax loading bridges, 400 Hz converters, and the PCA systems depends on the
type of plane and therefore on the type of plane stand. The tables below summarize the power requirements for
planes about the type of plane stand.
1. Ratio per MARS Stand (1 plane code E or 2 planes code C)
Pax loading bridges 60 Hz: 18 kVA/unit (2 loading bridges per stand, total of 36 KVA/stand)
400 Hz converters: 90 KVA/unit (2 converters per stand, total of 180 KVA/stand)
Fixed PCA (A/C System): 120 KVA/unit (1 PCA per stand, total of 120 KVA/stand)
2. Ratio per A380 Stand (1 A380 Plane)
Pax loading bridges: 18 kVa/unit (3 loading bridges per stand, total of 54 kVa/stand)
400 Hz Converters: 90 kVa/unit (4 Converters Per Stand, total of 360 kVa/stand)
Fixed PCA (A/C System): 120 KVA/unit (2 PCA per stand, total of 240 KVA/stand)
* A 400 Hz converter is an external power source, often referred to as a ground power unit, that supplies power
to aircraft while they are on the ground. The purpose of such a unit is to convert the 50/60 Hz voltage coming
from the utility into a 400 Hz voltage.
* The MARS Stand and the A380 Stand are types of airplane stands designed to accommodate different types
of aircraft.

Diversity Factor

1. A diversity factor is applied by zone in the load analysis to account for the fact that not all electrical
installations of the same type will be in use simultaneously.
2. A diversity factor of 0.8 is applied for the MARS stands (1 code E or 2 codes C) in each zone (A, B, etc.),
assuming that only 80% of these spaces will require power simultaneously in each zone.
3. A diversity factor of 0.9 is applied for the Pax loading bridges and PCAs of the A380 stands in each zone (A, B,
etc.), since there are fewer A380 stands than MARS stands.
4. A diversity factor of 0.75 can be applied to the installed power of the four 400 Hz converters provided at the
A380 stands because the power to be maintained at each of these stands is 270 KVA.
 5. The overall diversity factor used is 0.8 in normal operation.

o Bases of calculation for operation in standby mode

• Definition of standby mode
In the event of the loss of the public power source (SEC), the installations will operate in standby mode with
power sourced by an electric generator for exclusive use in the project. For periods of several hours, this will be
known as "standby" mode.
Equipment to be supplied in standby mode.
During meetings held in Jeddah on 4 February 2009, it was requested that generators ensure Standby Power for
the Terminal's continuity of operation for critical loads that affect the Passenger Terminal's continuity of
operation, which are:
1. Lighting
- Means of egress lighting: entrances, staircases, public elevator lobbies, corridors, etc.
- 50% lighting for general areas
- 100% lighting for all technical areas: electrical, mechanical, IT/ULV, etc.
2. Life safety systems**: fire alarm, firefighting, security system, etc.
3. Communication Systems
4. Critical Mechanical Systems**: sewage/sump pumps, water pumps, smoke evacuation fans, etc.
5. Elevators and Escalators: One elevator in each elevator bank, part of escalators and walkways.
6. Partial Passenger Loading Bridges, 400 Hz Equipment, PCA Equipment: Some components of
passenger loading bridges, 400 Hz equipment, and Pre-Conditioned Air (PCA) systems.
7. Emergency Central Battery System and UPS Systems: Systems that provide power during emergencies.
8. HVAC Load: Power requirement of the HVAC system to maintain a maximum temperature of 27°C in the
terminal. It should be coordinated with the mechanical department.
9. Automatic People Mover (APM): A transportation system within the terminal.
10. Baggage Handling System (BHS): A system for transporting checked luggage.

Technical Equipment
Value Selected Justification
Concerned
Lighting in Terminal Complex
12 VA/m² Emergency exit lighting is maintained; 50% of the
Lighting in Car Parking
1.5 VA/m² general lighting installations are maintained; 100%
Lighting in the Transportation
8 VA/m² of lighting in technical areas is maintained
Center
Equipment such as lift pumps and traffic lights
Small Power, Plumbing
must remain operational at full capacity (100%)
Equipment, Low Power in Car
5 VA/m² The loads of the majority of these terminal
Parking
5 VA/m² equipment
In Car Parking Transportation
installations can be shed.
Center
Because the temperature setting for air-
conditioning is
50% of the power supplied raised to 27 °C, less electric power is needed to
HVAC in the
in normal dehumidify the air
transportation center
mode *Temperature needed to coordinate with HVAC
Trade

HV AC for electrical and 1 00 % of the power HVAC for. electrical and IT/ULV technical areas
IT/ULV technical areas demand in normal mode have to be maintained

Elevators, escalators, and
travelators
Passenger loading bridges,
400 Hz equipment, Pre-
Conditioned Air (PCA)
equipment
Passenger loading bridges,
400 Hz equipment, Pre-
Conditioned Air (PCA)
equipment
Only one elevator in each elevator bank and part
50% of the power supplied
of the escalators and walkways remain
in normal mode
operational
For the MARS Stands, the
diversity factor of 0.6
instead of 0.8 is in normal 1 MARS Stand that would be supplied in normal
mode. No change of mode will not be used in standby mode
diversity factor for the A380
Stands.
30% of the power supplied Because there are fewer A380 stands, it would be
in normal mode difficult to not use some them in standby mode

Diversity Factor

1. The global diversity factor applied in standby mode to the total power demand is identical to the one applied in
normal mode because the number of equipment items supplied is almost the same in both modes.
2. The overall diversity factor used for standby operation is 0.8.

o Bases of calculation for operating in safety mode

Definition of safety mode:
The items of equipment to be supplied with power for reasons of personal safety are those whose operation
cannot be interrupted for more than a few seconds without endangering personal safety. This equipment is
identified in NFPA 70, the National Electricity Code, and is broken down into two categories:
- Emergency Systems defined in Article 700
- Legally Required Standby Systems, defined in Article 701
Equipment to be supplied in safety mode:
1. Emergency lighting that is fed from ECB must be re-supplied in 10 seconds max according to NFPA 700.12
• Illuminate the escape routes and immediate external areas at discharge points.
• Provide the exit signs on all the exits.
• Illuminate lighting fixtures in offices and technical areas for ambient lighting level.
2. Equipment that is fed from UPS must be re-supplied in 10 seconds max according to NFPA 70- 700.12
• All data and communications equipment (IT/ULV), including fire safety installations public address signage, and
security (CCTV-monitoring access control, etc.) systems.
3. Equipment that is fed from the Generator must be re-supplied in 60 seconds max for safety equipment and 120
seconds max for re-supplying the passenger terminal load in the standby mode according to NFPA 70-700.11
• the following is covered under "Legally Required Standby System":
- The elevator sprinkler system sewage lift pumps
- The smoke extraction equipment
- The equipment maintaining passenger loading bridges in horizontal vertical positions allows evacuating
persons or planes.

Ratio of power demand/m² for lighting Value

Illuminate the escape routes and immediate

external areas at discharge points
4 VA/m²
Provide the exit signs on all the exits
 Illuminate lighting fixtures in offices and technical
areas for ambient lighting level

Emergency escape route lighting to emergency exits

in the transportation center

Emergency escape route lighting to emergency exits

0.5 VA/m²
in the carpark

All data and communications equipment (IT/ULV),

including fire safety installations public address
signage and security (CCTV-monitoring access
control etc) systems
Sprinkler system and sewage lift pumps
Smoke extraction equipment
Smoke extraction equipment
Equipment ensuring that passenger loading bridges
are maintained in horizontal and vertical positions
Elevators
100% of the power demand in normal mode
1 VA/m²
1 VA/m²
Total demand of 1000 kVA(should be coordinated
with HVAC Dep.)
8 kVA/unit (air-conditioning of the loading bridges is
not included in safety mode)
Only passenger elevators are supplied with power

Diversity Factor

1. The global diversity factor applied in safety mode to the total power demand is not the same as the global
diversity factor applied in normal mode because the number of equipment items supplied is lower than that
supplied in normal mode.
2. The overall diversity factor used for safety operations is 0.9.

Sizing principle for transformer stations

The number of transformer stations and transformers to be installed in each zone (A, B, etc.) has
been defined about:
1. The total power necessary for operating in normal mode (on SEC source).
2. The size of the site and the potential distance from the main loads to be fed.
3. The desire to dedicate certain transformers to certain uses.
4. The power output selected for each transformer.
5. The objective is to provide a spare capacity of 30% at a minimum in each transformer station.
Two transformers are installed in every transformer station to ensure the total redundancy of the supply.

Sample of Load estimation schedules

 Normal Operation

Power requirements based on FARs (Floor Area

Passenger Terminal Complex Specific power req.
Ratio) Total Demand Power
Ratio for Ratio for Total Power Unit Specific power Factor/Zo demand
Room name or Specific equipment Area m2 Lighting Sockets Ratio req.based Quantity power Power req. KVA ne KVA
VA/m2 VA/m2 VA/m2 on FARs KVA KVA req.KVA
Global power requirements for IT/ULV 1 2000 2000
Global power requirements for elevators, escalators and
1 1000 1000
travelators
Zone A
Area load calculation 262304 20 15 35 9180.64 9180.64 1 9180.64
IT / ULV (% according to floor area)
1 771.4824 771.4824 771.4824 1 771.4824
"(B6*2000)/680000"
Elevators, escalators and travelators (% according to
1 385.7412 385.7412 385.7412 1 385.7412
floor area) "(B6*1000)/680000"
Fan coils, HVAC BHS sorting, HVAC BHS make up
1 1951 1951 1951 1 1951
"HVAC Dep."
Subtotal for zone A – excl. HVAC 12288.86
Zone B
Area load calculation 45423 20 15 35 1589.805 1589.805 1 1589.805
IT / ULV (% according to floor area)
1 133.5971 133.5971 133.5971 1 133.5971
"(B6*2000)/680000"
Elevators, escalators and travelators (% according to
1 66.79853 66.79853 66.79853 1 66.79853
floor area) "(B6*1000)/680000"
Fan coils 1 340 340 340 1 340
Air Handling Unit 1 791 791 791 1 791
Heating Coils 1 344 344 344 1 344
MARS Stand (1Code E or 2 Code C) 6

Pax loading bridges 60HZ (2Loading bridge per stand) 12 18 216 216 0.8 172.8

400HZ Converters (2 Converters per stand) 12 90 1080 1080 0.8 864

Fixed PCA (AC System) 6 120 720 720 0.8 576
4878.001
Total Demand 17166.86
Div. Factor 0.8
Total Div.Load 13733.49

Car Parking Area

Car park places 14000 2.5 5 7.5 105 105 1 105
Car roads and slopes 23000 2.5 5 7.5 172.5 172.5 1 172.5
Northern pedestrian road 23000 6 5 11 253 253 1 253
Pick up area 19000 2.5 5 7.5 142.5 142.5 1 142.5
Circulation and WC 7000 6 5 11 77 77 1 77
Technical rooms 2000 10 5 15 30 30 1 30
IT/ULV 1 200 200 200 1 200
HVAC 1 200 200 200 1 200
Elevators and escalators 1 200 200 200 1 200

Transportation Center 10000 15 15 30 300 300 1 300

IT/ULV 1 100 100 100 1 100
HVAC 1 500 500 500 1 500
Elevators and escalators 1 100 100 100 1 100
Total Demand 2380
Div. Factor 0.8
Total Div.Load 1904
 Standby Operation
Passenger Terminal Complex Power requirements based on FARs (Floor Area Specific power req.
Total Demand Power
Ratio for Ratio for Total Power Unit Specific
power Factor/Zo demand
Room name or Specific equipment Area m2 Lighting Sockets Ratio req.based Quantity power Power
req. KVA ne KVA
VA/m2 VA/m2 VA/m2 on FARs KVA KVA req.KVA
Global power requirements for IT/ULV 1 2000 2000
Global power requirements for elevators, escalators and
1 500 500
travelators
Zone A
Area load calculation 217000 12 15 27 5859 5859 1 5859
IT / ULV (% according to floor area)
1 638.2353 638.2353 638.2353 1 638.2353
"(B6*2000)/680000"
Elevators, escalators and travelators (% according to
1 159.5588 159.5588 159.5588 1 159.5588
floor area) "(B6*1000)/680000"
Fan coils, HVAC BHS sorting, HVAC BHS make up
1 1951 1951 1951 1 1951
"HVAC Dep."
BHS Process 1 3000 3000 3000 1 3000
Subtotal for zone A – excl. HVAC 11607.79
Zone B
Area load calculation 45423 12 15 27 1226.421 1226.421 1 1226.421
IT / ULV (% according to floor area)
1 133.5971 133.5971 133.5971 1 133.5971
"(B6*2000)/680000"
Elevators, escalators and travelators (% according to
1 66.79853 66.79853 66.79853 1 66.79853
floor area) "(B6*1000)/680000"
Fan coils 1 340 340 340 1 340
Air Handling Unit 1 791 791 791 1 791
Heating Coils 1 344 344 344 1 344
MARS Stand (1Code E or 2 Code C) 6
Pax loading bridges 60HZ (2Loading bridge per stand) 12 18 216 216 0.6 129.6
400HZ Converters (2 Converters per stand) 12 90 1080 1080 0.6 648
Fixed PCA (AC System) 6 120 720 720 0.6 432
BHS Process 1 5000 5000 5000 1 5000
Subtotal for zone B – excl. HVAC 9111.417
Total Demand 20719.21
Div. Factor 0.8
Total Div.Load 16575.37

Car Parking Area

Car park places 14000 1.5 5 6.5 91 91 1 91
Car roads and slopes 23000 1.5 5 6.5 149.5 149.5 1 149.5
Northern pedestrian road 23000 3 5 8 184 184 1 184
Pick up area 19000 1.5 5 6.5 123.5 123.5 1 123.5
Circulation and WC 7000 3 5 8 56 56 1 56
Technical rooms 2000 10 5 15 30 30 1 30
IT/ULV 1 200 200 200 1 200
HVAC 1 200 200 200 1 200
Elevators and escalators 1 100 100 100 1 100

Transportation Center 10000 8 5 13 130 130 1 130

IT/ULV 1 100 100 100 1 100
HVAC 1 250 250 250 1 250
Elevators and escalators 1 50 50 50 1 50
Total Demand 1664
Div. Factor 0.8
Total Div.Load 1331.2
 Saftey Operation
Power requirements based on FARs (Floor Area
Passenger Terminal Complex Specific power req.
Ratio) Total Demand Power
Ratio for Ratio for Total Power Unit Specific power Factor/Zo demand
Room name or Specific equipment Area m2 Lighting Sockets Ratio req.based Quantity power Power req. KVA ne KVA
VA/m2 VA/m2 VA/m2 on FARs KVA KVA req.KVA
Global power requirements for IT/ULV 1 2000 2000
Global power requirements for elevators, escalators and
1 500 500
travelators
Zone A
Area load calculation 217000 4 1 5 1085 1085 1 1085
IT / ULV (% according to floor area)
1 638.2353 638.2353 638.2353 1 638.2353
"(B6*2000)/680000"
Elevators, escalators and travelators (% according to
1 159.5588 159.5588 159.5588 1 159.5588
floor area) "(B6*1000)/680000"
Subtotal for zone A 1882.794
Zone B
Area load calculation 45423 4 1 5 227.115 227.115 1 227.115
IT / ULV (% according to floor area)
1 133.5971 133.5971 133.5971 1 133.5971
"(B6*2000)/680000"
Elevators, escalators and travelators (% according to
1 33.39926 33.39926 33.39926 1 33.39926
floor area) "(B6*1000)/680000"
MARS Stand (1Code E or 2 Code C) 6
Pax loading bridges 60HZ (2Loading bridge per stand) 12 8 96 96 0.8 76.8
400HZ Converters (2 Converters per stand) 12 0 0 0 0.6 0
Fixed PCA (AC System) 6 0 0 0 0.6 0
Subtotal for zone B 470.9113
Equipment Load Calculation
Smoke Venting Equipment 1 1000 1000 1000 1 1000
BHS 1 0
People Mover 1 0
Total Demand 3353.705
Div. Factor 0.9
Total Div.Load 3018.335

Car Parking Area

Car park places 14000 0.5 0 0.5 7 7 1 7
Car roads and slopes 23000 0.5 0 0.5 11.5 11.5 1 11.5
Northern pedestrian road 23000 1 0 1 23 23 1 23
Pick up area 19000 0.5 0 0.5 9.5 9.5 1 9.5
Circulation and WC 7000 1 0 1 7 7 1 7
Technical rooms 2000 4 0 4 8 8 1 8
IT/ULV 1 200 200 200 1 200
HVAC 1 200 200 200 1 200
Elevators and escalators 1 100 100 100 1 100

Transportation Center 10000 4 0 4 40 40 1 40

IT/ULV 1 100 100 100 1 100
HVAC 1 100 100 100 1 100
Elevators and escalators 1 50 50 50 1 50
Total Demand 856
Div. Factor 0.9
Total Div.Load 770.4

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