The NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles announced a plan to power Lincoln Financial Field with a combination of on-site wind, solar and dual-fuel generated electricity, making it the world’s first major sports stadium to convert completey to on-site power.
The Eagles have contracted with Orlando FL-based SolarBlue, a renewable energy and energy conservation company, to install approximately 80 20-foot spiral-shaped wind turbines on the top rim of the stadium and affix 2,500 solar panels on the stadium’s facade. Together, these are expected to provide about 30% of the facility’s power needes. SolarBlue will also build a 7.6 megawatt (MW) onsite dual-fuel cogeneration plant that will burn biodiesel and natural gas to supply the remaining power needs.
The Eagles and SolarBlue estimate that over the 20-year horizon, the
on-site energy sources at Lincoln Financial Field will provide 1.039
billion kilowatt hours of electricity–more than enough to supply the
stadium’s power needs–enabling an estimated 4 MW of excess energy
off-peak to be sold back to the local electric grid.
Over the next year, SolarBlue will invest in excess of $30 million to build out the system, with a completion goal of September 2011. SolarBlue will maintain and operate the stadium’s power system for the next 20 years at a fixed percent annual price increase in electricity, saving the Eagles an estimated $60 million in energy costs.
"The Philadelphia Eagles are proud to take this vital step towards energy independence from fossil fuels by powering Lincoln Financial Field with wind, solar and dual-fuel energy sources," said team owner and chief executive officer, Jeffrey Lurie. "This commitment builds upon our comprehensive environmental sustainability program, which includes energy and water conservation, waste reduction, recycling, composting, toxic chemical avoidance and reforestation. It underscores our strong belief that environmentally sensitive policies are consistent with sound business practices."
Added Eagles owner Christina Lurie, "We believe the iconic stature and universal appeal of professional sports can become a powerful, visible, motivating example of how renewable energy sources can replace fossil fuels and create a cleaner, sustainable environment for people everywhere."
Engineers at Solar Blue estimate that the stadium conversion will eliminate CO2 emissions equivalent to 500,000 barrels of oil or 24 million gallons of gasoline consumed annually. That equates to removing the carbon emissions of 41,000 cars each year.
Beyond the substantial environmental advantages, the Eagles’ plan will create hundreds of clean energy jobs for the Philadelphia area. SolarBlue anticipates directly employing 200 local people during the year-long design and installation phase. One-quarter of these jobs will be permanently maintained over the 20-year operational horizon. In addition, the project will generate approximately 600 indirect jobs in the surrounding region as a result of Solar Blue’s commitment to utilize local contractors, vendors and suppliers, as available.
In September, all U.S. major professional sports leagues collectively agreed to encourage the use of solar power and clean energy in arenas and stadiums throughout the United States.
Loading...