Innovative energy storage technology enables major Italian airport to cut more than 500 tonnes of CO₂ annually, reduce its dependence on the grid and demonstrate sustainability
Socomec, a specialist manufacturer of low voltage power management and battery energy storage solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Trieste Airport to decarbonise its transport infrastructure and accelerate its energy transition.
Trieste Airport, a major multimodal hub in Northeastern Italy serving 1.65 million passengers a year, wanted to support rapid growth in passenger traffic while meeting ambitious sustainability targets – Net Zero by 2027 – including maximising energy autonomy through on-site renewable energy generation. To meet this challenge, Socomec implemented an integrated energy management strategy based on the installation of three SUNSYS HES L modular storage systems, connected in parallel to achieve a total power of 600 kVA and total capacity of 3.3 MWh. Socomec’s Power Management System (PMS) – working in synergy with an external Energy Management System – then optimises battery charging and discharging cycles in line with photovoltaic output and the airport’s real-time electricity demand.
This smart infrastructure has radically transformed the airport’s energy mix after just one year of operation. With Socomec’s battery energy storage system (BESS) in place, Trieste Airport was able to cover 70% of its total energy demand from renewable sources, with 46% coming directly from its photovoltaic system and 24% supplied by batteries previously charged using solar energy. As a result, its dependence on the electricity grid has fallen dramatically, now accounting for only 30% of annual consumption.
The environmental impact of this energy independence is tangible. The airport’s direct CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 559 tonnes per year. Furthermore, by optimising the export of surplus renewable electricity – with 51% of excess generation fed back into the grid – the system has also prevented an additional 1,177 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, contributing to the decarbonisation of the region.
In addition to energy autonomy, the BESS has played a crucial role in the electrification of airport operations. Acting as a buffer between chargers and the grid, the system enables 42 electric vehicles to be charged overnight without requiring new investments in grid infrastructure. This has facilitated the electrification of 75% of the ground equipment, including baggage tractors and escalators – leading to a reduction in diesel consumption of approximately 14,000 litres per year and eliminating the associated emissions.
Socomec’s work with Trieste Airport was named Energy Storage Decentralised Project of the Year at the Energy Storage Awards 2025. The award celebrates behind-the-meter distributed energy storage projects of under 1MW which demonstrate innovative design and strong potential for replication at scale.
“This recognition further reinforces Trieste Airport’s commitment to reducing emissions and promoting green initiatives in the region,” said Francesco Mistrini, Infrastructure Director at Trieste Airport. “Energy efficiency is a priority objective for us, which we pursue constantly through technological upgrades and organisational improvements. Our vision is to minimise CO2 emissions for directly relevant processes so that energy consumption is not a cost but an indicator of the airport’s efficiency and its impact on the local area.”
“This award recognises our teams’ ability to deliver a complex project in a demanding environment, demonstrating how distributed storage can transform hubs such as Trieste Airport into leaders in sustainability,” said Pasquale Di Donna, ESS Project Manager for Italy at Socomec. “The modular and flexible nature of the solution ensures that the infrastructure can scale in the future to support further electrification and increased traffic – offering a sustainable growth model that can be replicated in other commercial and industrial facilities.”
To monitor real-time sustainability results, visit Trieste Airport’s Net Zero page here.