As the world accelerates its path toward net-zero emissions, China has taken a bold leap in the transportation sector with the transformation of Ordos Airport into a model zero-carbon airport. Announced on June 25, during China’s 13th National Low-Carbon Day, the airport’s green energy initiative was officially recognized as one of the 60 national exemplary low-carbon cases of 2025 by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. This milestone positions Ordos Airport as a leading symbol in China’s green aviation movement and a benchmark in sustainable infrastructure.
A Green Makeover for a Carbon-Intensive Hub
Located in Inner Mongolia, Ordos Airport serves over a million passengers annually and was once a typical example of high-carbon infrastructure. The terminal was dependent on city electricity, used high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerant-based cooling systems, and relied on natural gas boilers for heating—resulting in significant annual carbon emissions.
In 2024, the airport launched a transformative zero-carbon demonstration project focused on green energy deployment, smart grid management, and cutting-edge climate technologies. At the core of this transformation was a partnership with Envision, a global green tech firm known for its expertise in smart energy systems.
Envision provided a comprehensive suite of zero-carbon energy solutions, including its proprietary EnOS intelligent IoT platform, an AI-powered edge-cloud collaborative microgrid control system, and user-side smart energy storage cabinets. By integrating these technologies with the spatial advantages of the terminal and the region’s renewable resources, Ordos Airport created a robust “solar-storage-charging” green energy system.
100% Zero-Carbon Supply with Tangible Benefits
Following the project’s completion, Ordos Airport achieved 100% zero-carbon power supply for its terminal. The project is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 9,500 tons, equivalent to planting over 520,000 fir trees—a tangible ecological benefit that underscores the project’s impact.
This shift is more than symbolic. The airport’s energy revamp fundamentally reshaped its operational backbone. Through a combination of photovoltaic generation, carbon dioxide-based heating and cooling systems, geothermal storage, seasonal energy balancing, and AI-based optimization, the airport now operates with vastly improved efficiency and environmental performance.
In collaboration with institutions like Peking University and the Ordos Energy Research Institute, the airport has also embedded advanced academic and scientific expertise into its system design and operational protocols, reinforcing its status as a scientific demonstration hub for China’s broader decarbonization roadmap.
Envision’s Intelligent Storage and AI-Driven Optimization
At the heart of this transformation lies Envision’s smart storage solution. The AI-coordinated, liquid-cooled, integrated DC/AC energy storage cabinets used in Phase 1 of the project represent cutting-edge advancements in industrial-grade storage. These cabinets boast high energy density, exceptional system efficiency, and stable performance, enabling seamless integration into the airport’s operational demands.
Envision’s approach to storage goes beyond traditional time-of-use arbitrage. By leveraging a “dual-cycle” model that includes both internal optimization (e.g., demand response and energy arbitrage) and external value streams (e.g., spot trading, virtual power plants), the company maximizes storage value in diverse real-world applications. At Ordos Airport, this approach has already proven effective, increasing green electricity consumption and generating notable economic gains.
Through AI algorithms, the system dynamically determines and switches to the most profitable operating mode, optimizing energy flows in real time. Whether it’s managing peak load, participating in local electricity markets, or stabilizing frequency, the system’s value-driven intelligence turns a once-static energy storage facility into an active energy asset.
The AI Brain Behind the Microgrid
Envision’s proprietary EnOS intelligent IoT platform, paired with an edge-cloud collaborative microgrid controller, forms the project’s digital core. The system continuously tracks power generation and consumption curves at millisecond precision, enabling ultra-responsive load balancing and ensuring the stability of green energy integration.
This technology ensures real-time energy visibility, intelligent dispatching, and predictive maintenance, creating a smart energy ecosystem that not only meets demand but anticipates it. The system’s strengths in data visualization, operational transparency, and user accessibility make it a perfect match for complex public infrastructure like airports, where reliability and resilience are paramount.
As one project lead described, “This isn’t just about swapping out equipment—it’s about rewiring the airport’s entire energy DNA.”
A Model for Nationwide Replication
Ordos Airport’s success has now been listed as a key scientific initiative in Inner Mongolia and is set to expand to over 30 trunk airports nationwide. By 2028, this model is projected to help reduce carbon emissions across China’s aviation sector by 3 million tons per year.
The project provides a scalable, replicable solution for zero-carbon infrastructure, demonstrating that deep decarbonization is not just feasible—it’s also economically viable and technologically advantageous. It sets a new precedent in combining “hard technology” (energy hardware) with “soft platforms” (AI and data management) to unlock system-wide efficiencies.
This evolution in airport energy management offers valuable insights for cities, governments, and energy operators worldwide. As the demand for electricity surges—especially with the rise of AI and electrification across industries—flexible, intelligent energy systems like the one at Ordos Airport will become indispensable.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Global Green Aviation
The Ordos Airport transformation signals a new era in sustainable aviation infrastructure. With its AI-driven, modular, and renewable-integrated energy system, the project not only meets the present challenges of emissions reduction but also lays the foundation for the future of zero-carbon transport.
As the aviation industry searches for paths to align with global climate goals, the Ordos model stands out as a comprehensive and proven solution. Thanks to Envision’s technological leadership and forward-looking design, the airport’s energy system has evolved from a carbon-intensive liability to a climate-forward asset—turning environmental responsibility into operational excellence.
In the race to net zero, Ordos Airport proves that the sky is no longer the limit—it’s the starting line.
