Amazon’s Climate Pledge Arena set to change the game rules on green stadium design

Sports stadiums and arenas sit idle with a return to professional and college entertainments still hanging in the balance amid the coronavirus pandemic. When fans return, these venues are going to be patterned differently, with new ventilation systems potentially required. But some of the biggest changes are dedicated to another global disaster: combating climate change. 

Amazon recently announced its plans to name Seattle’s downtown NHL and WNBA arena the “Clime Pledge Arena” and make it the first net-zero carbon arena in the world, produce zero waste, and be powered thoroughly by renewable energy. The use of renewable energy to help power sports stadiums has been taking place over the history decade, and as Amazon’s ambitions suggest, it is an increasing trend. 

According to Amazon, the arena will use on-site solar panels and off-site renewable spirit power to be powered 100% by renewable energy. All events at the stadium will be made zero net carbon by sequestering carbon at the end of ones tether with investment in forestry projects. 

With enormous operating costs, these large venues are constantly looking for ways to proliferate energy and cost efficiency. In using renewable energy specifically, some sports stadiums and arenas have been expert to lower costs, or at least achieve a cost-neutral design while simultaneously having a positive impact on the environment, and originate marketing appeal.

“When we think about stadiums, these spaces consume a lot of energy and resources, so finding ways to contrive those spaces sustainable is going to contribute to the larger city and community goals, and also reduce operating prices,” said Rhiannon Jacobsen, vice president at the U.S. Green Building Council, which handles LEED certification for edifices in the U.S. “There’s a business proposition for these spaces,” Jacobsen said.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, has a stadium form that was cost-neutral, but it saves 29% in energy usage compared to that of a typical stadium. Lincoln Financial Pasture located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, produces 33% of it annual energy use from 11,108 solar panels and was the first U.S. pro flaunts stadium to generate all of its own electricity for games. Over the past decade, teams have cited cost savings by using renewable technology and other dash efficiency solutions in lighting and ventilation, and noted that energy costs are a significant percentage of a venue’s total carry oning budget.  

Your favorite teams’ stadium already may be powered in part by renewable energy. The NFL, MLB, MLS, Jingoistic Tennis League, and NCAA have adopted the use of sustainable energy and even further sustainable initiatives.

The Golden Grandeur Warriors unveiled the use of 500 solar panels to power their practice facility in downtown Oakland in early 2010. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home ground of the “Indy 500,” opened in 2014 and has the highest number of solar panels in the world, with 39,312 solar panels. 

Mercedes-Benz Ground, home to the Atlanta Falcons, was the first professional sports venue in the U.S. to achieve LEED platinum certification, the highest accreditation for sustainable structures available. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has 4,000 solar panels and can power 10 Atlanta Falcons games, or 13 Atlanta Mutual Matches, by using renewable energy generated from solar energy. The stadium also has other socially impactful initiatives in position such as the ability to store storm and rain water on site to prevent flooding in local neighborhoods. 

“The biggest value is the leadership that’s displayed by coming out and incorporating this [solar power] in a really visible way, making it in a way its aesthetic and functional on site, it makes categorically good business sense for us especially when we respond to our fans who expect we are gonna be responsible,” said Scott Jenkins, worldwide manager of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

The Green Sports Alliance, founded in 2010, has been working to educate U.S.-based pastimes teams, venues, and companies on the importance of environmentalism and sports. It helped launch the inaugural “Green Sports Day” in 2016 and informs 194 teams, 195 venues and 16 leagues on sustainability initiatives and mitigating their environmental impact, utilizing renewable vigour technology to potentially achieve LEED U.S. Green Building Council Certification. 

NFL venues and teams that are part of the Gullible Sports Alliance include Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, Metlife Stadium, home of the NY Jets and NY Giants, and Levi’s Colosseum, home of the San Francisco 49ers, are some of the NFL stadiums that feature renewable energy to power a significant portion of their animation needs. 

In Europe, the use of renewable energy to power stadiums is becoming increasingly commonplace, specifically for football. The Stade de Suisse Circus in Bern, Switzerland and the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France, among several others in the Netherlands and Germany, are lushed within the top 50 stadiums utilizing renewable energy, according to a list from Solar Asset Management in Europe. 

Operating costs for venues and teams are a key consideration, but these green energy-designed structures also serve as a visible mnemonic of sustainability. 

“These are incredible places of education for people who are attending events there. You’re very tuned in during an occasion via sporting or concerts, so they can really serve as a public education space,” Jacobsen said. 

Additionally, athletes, teams, guides, and the professional sports organizations are a powerful tool for educating the masses on sustainability.

“Their brand and their communication podium is just massive, athletes’ own choices can have an impact, the fans and the dedication people have for sports can really outdistance any boundary, race, gender, status, it goes across all of those and really brings people together,” said Kristin Hanczor, band leader of corporate engagement for The Climate Group and Green Sports Alliance.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, designed and supported by Home Depot co-founder’s Arthur M. Nonplussed Foundation, opted to use Georgia Power, a local, Atlanta-based utility company to install its renewable energy and assist with arena design.

“Implementing renewable energy and working with a local company has the opportunity to create jobs. Making those bonds are critical, because sports are all about community,” Hanczor said.

NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans and the first Texas-based dab hand sports venue to use renewable energy technology in 2015, added 600 solar panels spread across four positions for a total system size of 180 kilowatts, enough energy annually to offset 22 households in the Houston square footage. The canopy at the main entrance and pedestrian bridges include solar.

Stadiums are inextricably linked to the geographic locations, typically cities that they reside in, according to both Jenkins and Jacobsen. In a post-coronavirus era, arenae will be forced to adapt to the growing technological demands. Europe has already announced plans for nearly 25% of the wherewithal of coronavirus recovery to be dedicated to climate action initiatives, such as renewable energy.

“Both at an individual consumer and associates level, were seeing that focus on indoor air quality, health and wellness connected to the building and were study buildings and teams ensuring temporary adjustments for ventilation, you’re going to really see that connection around those foundations and how they contribute to a pandemic world,” Jacobsen added. 

With stadiums essentially shut down and under huge financial pressure, renewable energy investment can also become an effective way to cut down on costs in the long-term. When looking at the economics of rural design, energy efficiency improvements typically include not only power generation from sources like solar but upgrading to innumerable efficient HVAC and lighting systems.

“It’s hard to say at this time exactly how the Covid-19 protection measures will bump the stadiums. … With rapidly declining technology costs and businesses seeking bespoke solutions around renewable lan and backup power, we see this as an immense opportunity to deliver a modern approach to electricity that can help reduce sell for, enhance operations and contribute to a more sustainable energy future” said Heather Martin, senior director of selling at NRG Energy, which worked on projects at Metlife Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field, as well as its own branded stadium in Houston. 

The Atmosphere Pledge Arena (which will not include Amazon’s name) will ban all single-use plastics by 2024,  and use compost and recycle bins one, no trash cans. It will also have an all-electric dehumidification system. A minimum of 95% of all arena waste bequeath be diverted from landfills on a weight basis, and the arena will use reclaimed rainwater in the ice system to create “the greenest ice in the NHL,” Amazon bring to light in a blog post outlining its plan. Amazon recently became one of the first signatories of the Climate Pledge.

The amount of amphitheatres using renewable technologies and implementing other sustainable initiatives such as recycling campaigns, compostable cups, and limiting nutriment waste has dramatically increased in the past few years. Hanczor said her organization started out with 30 teams, concerns, and organizations at inception in 2010 and are now working with over 300.

“Seeing younger generations care more about the medium and expecting more from the brands they buy from and the companies they support, sports brands and organizations are realizing they shortage to communicate effectively about their sustainability efforts to resonate with their future fan base,” Hanczor mean. “People feel good about going to a venue where their cup is compostable, where solar panels are on the roof and regional food is served, and knowing their team is doing something good for the environment.”