A range of low-carbon energy and transport technologies will be used in staging The 149th Open at Royal St George’s and fans attending the Championship will be able to learn more in a new Sustainability Zone being introduced this year.
Led by The R&A and delivered in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, an Official Patron of The Open, Aggreko and Connected Kerb, innovative technologies for renewable energy generation, battery storage, zero-emission mobility and electric vehicle charging will be demonstrated to fans as they walk on the main footpath through the Sustainability Zone before entering the venue.
Installed over a 100-metre walkway, the zone will include a renewable hybrid power solution delivered by Aggreko and showcases a pioneering new approach for mobile and modular energy services at temporary events. The system integrates a solar power plant with battery storage and generators fuelled by sustainable biodiesel and will deliver clean power to state-of-the-art Connected Kerb charge points powering the fully electric, zero-emission Mercedes-EQ vehicles.
Information display panels will explain to fans how these future-proofed technologies can work together to help tackle climate change.
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “As a major events organiser, we are committed to minimising the environmental impact of staging The Open and with our partners, continually looking at new ways to invest in cleaner energy and transport solutions for staging the Championship. We are aware of the challenges presented by climate change and so feel a real responsibility to play our part in reducing emissions while transitioning to low-carbon technologies such as those being used at Royal St George’s this year.”
As the Official Car of The Open since 2011, Mercedes-Benz provides mobility for players and officials at the Championship. Fully electric Mercedes-EQ vehicles will be used within the players’ fleet this year, while a further ten Mercedes-EQ models based within the Sustainability Zone will also support the wider courtesy car fleet. With zero local emissions, Mercedes-EQ vehicles create an all-new driving experience and represent the future of mobility.
On-site charging solutions for the vehicles in the Sustainability Zone are being provided by state-of-the-art Connected Kerb charge points, which offer accessible, reliable and smart charging. Boasting sector-leading technology and advanced environmental credentials, Connected Kerb provides solutions that can enable a systemic decarbonisation of road transport.
Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said, “It is truly exciting to see such a prestigious event take this positive step forward to champion innovation and sustainability. We are incredibly proud to be involved in electrifying The Open with our new temporary Gecko chargers and hope that this encourages other organisations and events to do the same.”
The Sustainability Zone will be powered by Aggreko’s mobile and modular hybrid power solution, integrating solar power generation with a smart battery system for energy management and connected to thermal generators. All Aggreko generators on-site will run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable biodiesel, for the duration of the Championship. Compared to fossil diesel, using HVO in generators gives an anticipated reduction in emissions of up to 40%.
An additional renewable microgrid solution will be installed at the contractors’ compound and is also comprised of a deployable mobile solar power plant, battery storage and HVO fuelled generators. The Mercedes-EQ vehicles operating within the players’ fleet will be powered by temporary on-site rapid chargers connected to Stage 5 generators running on HVO.
Robert Wells, Managing Director at Aggreko Events Services, said, “Our installation at The 149th Open marks the first time Aggreko has deployed a renewable electric vehicle charging infrastructure solution completely off grid. We are proud to pioneer new approaches for delivering cleaner power solutions to events worldwide. This has been a fantastic collaborative project, delivered jointly by The R&A, Mercedes-EQ, Connected Kerb and Aggreko. Each of us shares a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, and this is a powerful example of how major sporting events can catalyse and showcase the transition to a low-carbon future.”
Leave a comment