Sustainability is becoming more and more of a main focus in the world of sport, with everyone from global sporting bodies to national stadiums, assessing their options. 

Sports stadiums require a huge amount of power, in particular on match-days when lighting, air-conditioning and video screens all electricity, along with a vast multitude of other energy-intensive demands. Even when not in use, stadiums and other sporting arenas need large amounts of power for maintenance.

The possibilities for incorporating renewable energy technology into stadiums and the surrounding areas provide a huge opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can include placing solar panels on roofs and on the roads leading towards the arenas.

At a domestic level, efficiency measures and renewable technologies are not just reserved for top clubs with the most money. There are now many opportunities for all types and sizes of stadia and other sporting venues. Taking steps in this area can have a huge positive impact, on the carbon footprint. Improving sustainability and energy management practices can also improve finances, potentially generating significant long-term energy savings and even creating additional revenue streams.

Football clubs that have previously put sustainability in practice

Arsenal,UK

In August 2017, Arsenal become the first Premier League club to be 100% sustainable in its energy consumption. By sourcing all its energy from renewable sources, the club is saving a reported 2.32 million Kg of carbon dioxide annually

Forest Green Rovers, UK

The New Lawn Stadium boasts the world’s first organic pitch. The site also generates renewable energy from 100 solar panels and rain water is harvested and recycled. Even the pitch is cut by a solar-powered robotic mower and a 100% vegan menu is on offer on match days.

Amsterdam Arena, Holland

Amsterdam Arena is the biggest stadium in Holland and home to the Dutch national team. It is also carbon neutral, thanks to 4,200 roof top solar panels, wind turbines placed around the stadium, rainwater harvesting and cooling courtesy of cold water from a nerby lake. The stadium is also the world’s first to feature 100% renewable seating.

Sporting arenas giving us a glimpse of the future.

Lusail Stadium Qatar

The Lusail Stadium in Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup Final. When completed it will have a capacity of 80,000 seats . The stadium will be solar powered, which in particular will be used to maintain temperatures inside the stadium. Air-conditioning will be used to reduce the temperature to 27°C at a time when the actual temperature outside is 40°C plus.

 Solar energy will also be generated from the car park canopies, this will initially power the stadium and the surrounding areas when the ground is not in use. The solar power will lower the stadiums CO₂ emissions by 40%.

Bankwest Stadium, Australia

The new Bankwest stadium in the Parramatta suburb of Sydney will be completed this year and be home to A-League football side Western Sydney Warriors and Rugby League team Parramatta Eels.

Once again built to LEED and GBC standards, the stadium will be powered by renewable sources.  It will also be lit by the latest LED lighting technology to significantly reduce energy use.

The Bankwest stadium is part of the New South Wales government policy of rebuilding major venues in order to ‘climate proof’ them from extreme weather conditions.

T mobile Arena, America

The T-Mobile Arena is a multi-purpose venue in Las Vegas that has been the location for Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor, UFC 200 and ice hockey team Vegas Golden Knights.

The arena uses high-efficiency LED lighting throughout to reduce energy usage, alongside high-efficiency heating systems. Other improvements include a reduction in the use of water and cooling energy used in the building.

Potential solutions for sporting venues:

Led lighting

Lighting costs can often form a considerable proportion of any stadium’s energy expenditure. It is also one area where valuable quick wins can be made.

LEDs are an efficient form of lighting that consume around 80 per cent of the electricity used by traditional lighting technology, such as incandescent lamps. By switching to LEDs, the savings on energy costs can be substantial.

This is especially true if the use of LEDs is combined with a smart lighting control system. This type of system ensures that a high-quality lighting experience is provided, which is intuitive to the needs of both staff and visitors. It can also reduce any wasted energy, for example by turning off lighting when an area is not in use.

Solar PV

Solar is a tried and tested technology that continues to be a viable option for sporting venues and businesses alike. Commercial solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity that can be used on site. This reduces the amount of power that needs to be purchased from the grid and will improve the stadium’s carbon footprint.

The other key benefits of solar panels include that they are relatively low cost, easy to fit, quiet, unobtrusive and can make the optimal use of any suitable space. Usually, in the case of sports stadiums, this may be a roof top or a large unused area of the ground. Thanks to advances in energy storage technology the opportunity presented by solar is now even greater.

Energy Storage

One technology that is becoming well established in the UK, is energy storage. Such a system can store the energy being generated by a renewable power source, such as a roof top solar system, releasing the energy when it is required. This ensures the maximum benefit of any renewable technology is being achieved.

Installing an energy storage unit can also help venues optimise their savings. For example, it can provide flexibility, allowing electricity to be purchased from the grid at off-peak times, when it’s cheaper, and selling energy back to the grid when prices are at a premium.

It can open the door to other additional revenue streams too. For example, if it is used to support the national grid, when it’s not required by the venue itself.

Another advantage for sports grounds is that storage offers energy security. It can provide a reliable, back-up energy supply, offering a far more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel or gas engines.

Other measures

Other measures that are worth a mention here are solar thermal, and ground and air source heat pumps. They work by extracting heat that is naturally available. Using these types of systems can help reduce heating cost, often another area of major expense.

Voltage optimisation is another strategy to consider. It may not be as flashy or visually impactful as solar panels but can make a big difference. In a nutshell, it aids energy management by lowering the incoming electrical voltage to the level required by on-site equipment.

When it comes to going green, it is important to take a holistic view of energy use, and to consider the combination of technologies and upgrades that could be made, to achieve the greatest potential benefit.

PSN are working with sports team around the globe concerning their sustainability strategy. If you are interested to hear more about PSN’s network and working with sports organisations, please get in touch – enquiries@premiersportsnetwork.com