Case Study: Delray Beach Open Reduces Fuel Usage with Battery Storage System
As energy demands continue to rise, businesses and events are turning to commercial battery storage systems to reduce fuel consumption and improve energy efficiency. The Delray Beach Open partnered with United Rentals to implement a hybrid power setup using a POWR2 POWRBANK PRO battery energy storage system (BESS), achieving significant fuel savings and operational benefits.
Challenge:
The Delray Beach Open, an annual professional tennis tournament, required a reliable and efficient power solution to support LED panels, refrigeration, and other critical event infrastructure. The previous year, two diesel generators ran in parallel 24/7 for the duration of the event, consuming $5,000 in fuel. Seeking to reduce costs and improve efficiency, United Rentals opted to integrate a POWR2 POWRBANK PRO mobile BESS with a diesel generator for the 2025 event.
Solution:
United Rentals deployed a 70kVA/56kW diesel generator paired with a 40kVA/60kW/240V POWRBANK PRO battery energy storage system. This setup allowed the client to reduce generator runtime, improve fuel efficiency, and introduce a built-in redundancy system to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Results:
“The battery held us off for a long time when our generator failed. I would say the battery was our most reliable piece of equipment out there.”
— Kevin Skaare, Territory Manager, United Rentals
- Significant fuel savings: The event’s fuel costs dropped by 40%, from $5,000 to approximately $3,000, despite power consumption quadrupling compared to the 2024 event. Even greater fuel savings would have been achieved if the load had remained the same as the previous year.
- Uninterrupted power: The POWRBANK BESS acted as a backup power source, holding critical LED panels for nearly three hours when a diesel generator failed. This prevented operational disruptions until a replacement generator was deployed.
- Optimized power management: By carefully balancing the charge and discharge rates, the POWRBANK PRO effectively maintained power levels. At peak demand (30kW), the battery capacity declined slowly, while at lower loads (9kW), it recharged rapidly. The system efficiently powered LED panels (5kW) and refrigeration units (1.5kW) overnight, further contributing to fuel savings.
- Stable power for sensitive equipment: Unlike traditional generator setups that can cause voltage fluctuations, the POWRBANK mobile BESS provided seamless, steady power. This was critical for sensitive electronics, ensuring reliable performance of LED displays and other event infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:
- Reduced fuel consumption and costs by 40% despite a 4x increase in power demand.
- Eliminated the need for a second diesel generator, using the battery storage system as redundancy.
- Ensured uninterrupted power with a reliable energy storage solution.
- Improved efficiency and stability, enhancing event operations.
Integrating a commercial battery storage system helped United Rentals provide a dependable and cost-effective power solution for the Delray Beach Open. The event benefitted from reduced fuel consumption, improved efficiency, and an uninterrupted, silent power supply, demonstrating the real-world advantages of battery energy storage.