The Live Music Energy Revolution: Spotlight on Clean Energy

From the on-stage performances to the crowds dancing the night away, live music events pulsate with energy. However, this energy can come at a significant environmental cost. The traditional reliance on diesel generators to power large music festivals leaves a hefty carbon footprint. Large music festivals are often held in remote locations with limited access to grid power, requiring generators for lighting, sound systems, equipment, concession stands, and more. Recently, a clean energy revolution is brewing, fueled by a desire for a more sustainable future. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are emerging as a key solution for providing temporary, clean power to even the largest event stages.

Benefits of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Portable battery energy storage systems like the POWRBANK can significantly cut CO2 emissions by replacing or hybridizing with diesel generators. When paired with a diesel generator, the POWRBANK can reduce fuel usage and the associated CO2 emissions up to 80%. When used with renewable sources like solar or wind power, the POWRBANK can create a 100% zero emissions solution.

Using the POWRBANK at live events has benefits beyond sustainability as well. They produce no noise or fumes, creating a more enjoyable experience for the talent, crew, and concertgoers. This means that the POWRBANK can conveniently be placed close to or under the stage.

Additionally, if paired with a diesel generator, the POWRBANK can increase the well-being of the generator and reduce the risk of issues such as wet stacking. Plus, battery energy storage systems require little to no maintenance in the field, making them a reliable and sustainable solution for live events.

Battery Energy Storage Systems at Live Music Events

The push towards sustainability in the live music industry is gaining momentum, with more artists and festivals embracing eco-friendly practices. Initiatives like the Glastonbury Festival’s Worthy Pledge to “Love the farm. Leave no trace” highlight this commitment. Beyond utilizing battery energy storage systems, the live music industry is also exploring innovative solutions such as solar light towers, kinetic dance floors, and eco-villages designed to educate concertgoers on sustainability and ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

The POWRBANK at Live Music Events: Real-World Examples:

• Lollapalooza 2023: As part of the Music Decarbonization Project, Overdrive and Reverb partnered to power Billie Eilish’s Lollapalooza set with clean energy. Twelve POWRBANK battery energy storage systems were charged by a solar farm set up onsite during the days prior to the show. The POWRBANKs successfully powered the lighting, video, audio, and special effects on the mainstage during Billie Eilish’s headliner act. This emissions-free hybrid setup resulted in 1.02 metric tonnes of potential carbon offset and 180 gallons of potential diesel fuel saved. [READ MORE]
• Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion: In March 2023, the show made history as the largest 100% renewably powered festival stage in the US at the time, with 3.6 metric tonnes of potential carbon offset. Two POWRBANKs powered the main stage, with one unit supplying the energy to the stage and the other serving as an energy holding tank and a backup in case of an emergency. [READ MORE]

Live Music & Clean Energy: Future Opportunities

As the live music industry makes significant strides towards sustainability, there are still many opportunities to further enhance clean energy practices. For example, diesel generators often run continuously in the days leading up to an event, leading to undue wear and tear on the equipment and unnecessary CO2 emissions.

On a recent episode of Leading the Charge, a podcast on sustainable energy technology, Sean Jacobs from Overdrive Energy Solutions highlighted a practical solution: “When you run a generator at 10% load for days, you’re actually damaging the generator more than if you’re running it at 70-80% load,” Jacobs explains. “So this is another benefit where direct hybridization is an easy win, where you don’t run your generator until you need to recharge your batteries. And then you run it at 80% load for a couple hours.”

Obstacles to Adoption

Despite the clear benefits, transitioning the live music industry to clean energy solutions has not been without its challenges. Skepticism and cultural resistance often pose significant barriers. Neel Vasavada, founder of Overdrive Energy Solutions, emphasizes that the main impediment is not technological but cultural: “There’s a perception when something goes down, they look at you and they say it must be the new stuff, when the new stuff here actually makes the old stuff more reliable. That’s culture. That’s not engineering, that’s education.”

The Antidote to Fear: Understanding and Education

The key to overcoming these obstacles lies in understanding and education. Simplifying the concept of sustainability and demonstrating the tangible benefits of clean energy solutions can help shift perceptions and encourage wider adoption. By educating stakeholders about the long-term advantages of clean energy, we can foster a culture that embraces innovation and sustainability.

Live music should be celebrated for creating memorable experiences without leaving a damaging environmental footprint. As the industry evolves, integrating clean energy solutions is essential to ensure that live music continues to be a positive force, both for entertainment and the environment.

At POWR2, we are committed to partnering with you to reduce your event’s carbon footprint and ease the transition to clean energy.