Operational energy efficiency at Emirates Stadium

Michael Lloyd – Deputy Stadium Manager at Arsenal FC – outlined how the club converted to 100% green electricity and which projects they have implemented to optimise their operational energy efficiency including the installation of a battery storage system and LED floodlights.

100% renewable energy

Arsenal FC’s energy usage is enormous and therefore, the club switched to a new energy supplier. Octopus Energy powers all the facilities with 100% renewable energy. It is supplied by a network of solar panels and anaerobic digestion plants. The sustainability initiatives have resulted in considerable savings. The club managed to reduce their CO2 emission over a period of three years by nearly 1,000 tonnes. That entailed a decrease in the club’s CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) by £100,000/ year. 

“Thinking outside the box is key to developing solutions for sustainable growth.”

To optimise their energy efficiency, LED floodlights have been installed at Emirates Stadium. Those LED lights led to a reduction of energy consumption by a third compared to the previous floodlights. Furthermore, the club also optimised its water management and reduced its usage by implementing waterless urinals and a 2,000,000 litre underground tank to recycle the water. In 2017, they recycled over 6,000,000 litres.

3MW battery storage system

The 3MW battery storage system has been designed to meet Arsenal FC’s peak consumption and can store enough energy to run the 60,000-seats Emirates Stadium for an entire match. To avoid peak power prices, they buy the electricity when it is cheap (overnight) and store it in the battery storage system for use when prices are high. Typically energy can cost three times more at peak times than overnight. In addition, it enables the club to make money by using the battery storage system to provide a range of services that will support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy, helping the electricity network accommodate more renewable generation and support the growth of clean technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. The innovative battery storage system allows the stadium to reduce energy costs and provides the club with a new source of revenue. 

“The 3MW battery storage system has been designed to meet Arsenal’s peak consumption and will store enough energy to run the 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium for an entire match.” 

 What we can learn from Michael Lloyd's presentation:

• Sustainability has its benefits and all parties can benefit from it
• Sustainability results in financial and environmental savings
• A battery storage system not only reduces cost, it also generates higher revenues
• Supporters care about a club’s environmental practices