As the world looks to find way to be ‘greener’, sport is no exception. With many critics surrounding the carbon footprint of merchandise manufacturing and travel, new technologies could help offset the energy usage of stadiums, by means of fan engagement.
Energy Floors, a technology firm based out of the Netherlands, has tapped into the market of using pedestrian kinetic energy to produce clean power for stadiums and other venues. Kinetic energy is moving energy when humans walk, jump, run. Venues such as clubs, footpaths, and stadium concourses generate a lot of foot traffic, and this kinetic energy is absorbed by the concrete, pavement, or other surface. But what if that absorbed energy could be used to power the sound system, the floodlights, or the food stalls?
The Dutch company has been operating for the last 15 years – allowing clubs, parks, and even cities to develop sustainable, clean energy.
Energy Floors have partnered with the band Coldplay, installing temporary dancefloors at their concerts, allowing patrons to dance on the kinetic tiles below, generating clean energy throughout the show.
Energy Floors make the most out of high-traffic areas. In the case of stadiums, places such as entrances and exits, as that is where everyone must go through, with guaranteed movement. The footwells of seats is the other. When a goal is scored, pandemonium ensues. Jumping around, running down rows to hug the team in the corner, or hugging friends in the stands. It is where the most explosive energy can be produced. Not to mention, those whose legs bob up and down due to the stress of the game will inadvertently add to the kinetic energy released into the tiles.
With the cost of fuel and energy prices exponentially growing, both the public and businesses look to scramble for cheaper alternatives in the long run, with sustainable and renewable energy sources also offering the ability to promote themselves as a green club.
Dutch football giants Feyenoord in the Netherlands were one of the first clubs to introduce this technology into their clubs. The Rotterdam-based club and business joined forces, installing the kinetic energy tiles at areas of high traffic within ‘Rotterdam Stadium De Kuip’. This was a great success to both Feyenoord and Energy Floors, as well as the tens of thousands of visitors to the stadium. The concept of generating electricity just by walking on plates is a revolutionary idea and many are excited by the concept, and its potential applications.
A single adult walking on these kinetic plates creates two watts of energy, and up to 20 watts when jumping. Then considering the nearly 52,000 seats in the Rotterdam De Kuip that has thousands of people walking and jumping around the stadium – the kinetic energy absorbed by these plates is enormous!
The kinetic energy plates can also analyse data and benefit football clubs and other businesses who install these in their venues. The measurement of energy data can showcase to clubs which areas of the venue are the most visited, what parts of the game are the busiest around the stands, or the concourses etc.
Even during goals, it can figure out what certain level of energy is generated from fans. Finding places in the stadium that create more energy during a match can go a long way to determine repair and preventative maintenance for stadium crews. For instance, the ‘ultras’ area of Feyenoord’s fans will undoubtedly use more energy throughout the match, as they jump around and chant throughout the entire 90 minutes. This can lead to a greater focus of ensuring the structural integrity of the stadium is upheld.
Furthermore, it is a new direction in which fans get to be a part of the success of their football club. Supporting their own club in this way is beneficial to the environment, as it reduces costs for their club. The engagement of the fans has found new potential in kinetic.
