The presentation, “Key Takeaways from Organizing an Energy Championship,” by John Creamer (A4MT) and Dominique Gatto (AS Monaco), highlighted the success of a one-year energy-saving competition involving European sports venues.
Key Discussion Points:
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The Energy Championship Concept:
- A collaborative effort among 19 participating venues to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
- Engaged operators, stakeholders, and users through shared goals, transparent data, monthly rankings, and awards.
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Results and Impact:
- Achieved an average energy saving of 14.6% across venues, equating to 412 tons of CO₂ saved.
- Large venues like Stade Ernest-Wallon and Hippodrome d’Auteuil contributed significantly to overall savings, while administrative offices demonstrated notable efficiency improvements relative to their scale.
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Key Insights:
- Beyond Gamedays: Most energy savings were achieved during non-event periods by reducing baseline consumption through adjustments to heating, lighting, and idle equipment usage.
- Every Building Counts: Both older and newer facilities showed potential for savings, with tailored strategies making a difference regardless of the infrastructure’s age.
- Saving Energy Equals Saving CO₂: Investments in efficient, eco-friendly equipment and behavioral changes reduced both energy costs and emissions.
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Case Studies:
- Paris La Défense Arena: Saved 28.1% energy by optimizing technical operations, transitioning to LED lighting, and involving employees in energy management.
- Stade Toulousain: Achieved 19.6% energy savings by implementing behavioral changes, temperature adjustments, and efficient equipment use.
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Practical Recommendations:
- Regular maintenance, optimized equipment scheduling, and employee engagement are critical to achieving energy efficiency.
- Green teams and monitoring systems facilitate accountability and continuous improvement.
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Next Steps:
- Expansion of the Energy Championship to new categories, including aquatic parks and football leagues.
- Exploring the feasibility of a European-wide championship to further promote sustainable practices in sports infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaborative initiatives like the Energy Championship demonstrate the power of collective action in addressing energy challenges.
- Simple, cost-effective changes in behavior and operations can yield substantial energy and cost savings.
- Engaging stakeholders through transparency, competition, and shared objectives fosters a culture of sustainability across the sports sector.
This session provided an inspiring example of how sports venues can lead the way in energy efficiency, driving both environmental and financial benefits.
Check out the full presentation here.
