AIPC
Venue energy – the road to carbon zero
AIPC CEO SVEN BOSSU SAYS PROGRESS DEPENDS ON ALL PARTIES AGREEING ON STANDARDS FOR MEASUREMENT
V enue energy is a big challenge for venues wanting to become carbon zero , as they are dependent on a number of factors which are not necessarily within their control . The volatility of energy prices , as seen over the last year , helps to make the case and move forward . Measurement remains a key issue .
Energy prices , especially in Europe , have been subject to extreme volatility over the last year . The wholesale price of electricity in Germany for example , went from € 129 per megawatt-hour in April 2022 to € 469 in August of the same year , before dropping again to € 130 in March . As a result , energy has become much more than just a line in the budget and it is not unlikely that it will be the CFO taking the lead in addressing the energy challenge in many convention centres .
Typically , venues will go through a number of phases , the first one trying to save energy . This requires taking a couple of steps back and questioning procedures and processes in place . Sustainable IT is definitely an area to consider – just have a walk around the venue at night and detect all the devices still using energy without any need . Another one is to sit down with event organisers and agree on the temperature required – reducing from 20 ° C to 19 ° C can make a serious difference when it comes to large surfaces .
The second phase will consist of moving to renewable energy , either via the grid or on site . It is interesting to note that trade frictions and competition between US , China and Europe are triggering European authorities to come up with a mechanism for companies to be supplied with cheap
Above : Sven Bossu
“ Just have a walk around the venue at night and detect all the devices still using energy without any need .”
electricity from offshore wind farms , as Chinese companies for example have 50 % lower energy bills than their European competitors . While there is a clear dependency with geographical location and the rationale is not to become carbon zero , such mechanisms do offer a long-term solution to achieve that objective .
However , the big difference will be made by venues moving to renewable energy on site , both from a sustainability and a financial perspective . Many venues are investigating putting in place solar , thermal , wind or other sources of energy . Here , it is important to realise that the majority of the venues will need to implement a mix of solutions and that local legislation needs to be looked into . Just to give an example : energy sharing between buildings , even if owned by the same company , is not allowed in all countries .
Independently of the solutions chosen , the next big hurdle will be the measurement . Event organisers are increasingly asking venues to provide data on the energy usage for their events , in order to demonstrate sustainability efforts on their level . This comes with a number of challenges : not all venues are equipped with sufficient meters to provide this data and even if meters are in place , assumptions still need to be applied . Just to give an example : how do you split up the energy used by the catering facilities over the different events – with preparing sandwiches requiring less energy than a buffet ? When it comes to measurement , it will be important to come to a number of standards which all parties agree on . The good news is that this is being addressed via the Net Zero Carbon Event initiative , more specifically the Venue Energy Workstream . It once again demonstrates that our industry can make a major difference by working together .
ISSUE 124 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 11