To create the most sustainable Commonwealth Games to date
The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the ‘friendly games’, sets out to unite athletes and spectators from the Commonwealth nations regardless of disability or cultural background.
After a successful partnership at the previous two Commonwealth Games, as the official modular energy solutions supporter Aggreko were proud to be powering the historic event aiding with this year’s bold ambition to curate the most sustainable games to date.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games were streamed a record breaking 57.1 million times, more than six times the number during previous Games. Our challenge was to utilise the Games as a catalyst for change and demonstrate how our renewable power solutions could be used to promote sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint at large sporting events.
With the mutual goal of making the 2022 Commonwealth Games the greenest games to date, Aggreko’s main focus was on the way in which the event was powered, in order to provide a temporary energy framework for all 15 of the Games’ venues.
This would include powering large-scale venues such as the Alexander Stadium and Coventry Stadium & Arena, as well as other key sites including the Birmingham 2022 Athletes’ Villages at the University of Birmingham and at the University of Warwick.
Showing our commitment to responsible events delivery
We worked closely with the Games’ partners, stakeholders and suppliers to provide innovative power solutions that will reduce the carbon footprint. Our ‘mains first’ approach utilised each venue’s existing infrastructure, and where temporary energy was needed, Aggreko stepped in to support.
With our teams on hand to deliver their expertise on reliable energy solutions across all 19 sports in 14 different locations, the key to reaching the Games sustainability goals came from our renewable technology where we utilised solar panels, battery storage, Stage V generators, power on demand and HVO fuel (Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil).
The generators operated in a Load on Demand configuration – replacing one large generator with smaller generators that power up or down according to demand. The performance of generator and distribution equipment were continually analysed at Aggreko’s remote monitoring centre to ensure it was always running at peak efficiency.
In conjunction with the hybrid generators, Aggreko also produced around 10.8 MWh of clean solar energy at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa. This accounted for a third of the energy consumed by the venue with the rest produced at optimal efficiency due to the use of battery storage to hybridise energy generation.
The successful operation of the Games is hinged on reliable power supply, and our technologies ensured that renewable energy supplies were accessible in even the most remote sporting venues. Our mobile modular temporary power generators were crucial to supporting events at greenfield venues such as the mountain biking in local forests, ensuring these events had access to resilient power in all conditions.
700,000 Litres of renewable HVO fuel used
Implementing our sustainable technologies into the Commonwealth Games was a huge success, as Aggreko’s modular power supplies helped the Games achieve their goal of producing the most sustainable Games in history.
Our sustainable products had a measurable impact on reducing the amount of CO2 admitted into the atmosphere with an overall CO2 saving of 1,614 tonnes of CO2e. The Games recorded carbon levels were reduced to a level equivalent of taking over 300 diesel family cars off the road for a year.
Our modular power solutions were not only utilised within the sporting events but in the overall logistics of the Games. We charged 288 Commonwealth Games electric vehicles using our Stage V generators running off HVO fuel making us potentially greener than the national grid.
Compared to Stage IIIa engines, our Stage V generators reduced emissions including nitrogen oxide, particular matter and hydrocarbons (NOx, PM and HC) improving their overall air quality impact.
The Commonwealth Games promotes inclusivity and equality through the medium of sport. Aggreko’s aim at this year’s Games was to use the same platform to inspire and educate generations on renewable energy solutions and the importance of making sustainable switches.
The Organising Committee have transparently documented their environmental sustainability operations, actions, challenges and successes here: Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Sustainability Report.