Cover Feature
EN investigates alernative power and
who or what is stopping the industry from
making the switch
Words: Saul Leese
A
fter listening to growing
concern throughout the
industry about electrical charges
at shows, EN has decided to
address the elephant in the room
and discuss a possible soltion;
battery powered stands.
On investigation the idea of a
stand powered exclusively by a
portable power-pack has been
kicked around the industry for
some time now. If you’re an
organiser, you’ll be well aware
of the cries coming from small
to medium-scale exhibitors,
hit hard by extortionate and in
some cases, growing electrical
charges. No doubt the majority of
organisers feel somewhat helpless
when it comes to protecting
their customers’ from an array of
charges they face after signing a
contract with them.
Where the story becomes
interesting is that there
is currently no legislation
prohibiting the use of battery
packs at B2B events. However,
the Association of Event Venues
(AEV) has produced the eGuide;
a widely known and extensive
‘rule book’ adopted by venues.
Pg56/57 of the 156pg guide, tackles
battery usage at events, but I
can’t help feeling that this section
was written some years ago,
and mainly for another industry
in another place and time. The
eGuide does prohibit the use of
battery packs for lighting, unless
it ‘forms part of a self-contained
lamp unit’.
Robert Cohen, VP of US based
Display Supply & Lighting is part
of a growing trend of exhibitors,
turning their backs on electrical
charges and doing it themselves.
He said: “We ran our entire 10’
x 20’ booth off of battery power
at Exhibitor Show 2019. We did
not have any issues with the
operation of our booth. Things
ran flawlessly, and as planned we
did not recharge any batteries
during the course of the show.
The electrical contractor was a
bit puzzled as to how we were
providing power, but once we
explained the technology and
our set up they did not have any
problems. The use of batteries
is controlled by show halls
and venues – not the electrical
contractors.”
Cohen explains his business has
been inundated with companies
looking to replicate his model at
other events across the US.
Vice Chair of Event Supplier
and Services Association (ESSA)
and MD of EventShaper Lou
Kiwanuka is leading the charge on
alternative power. She said “We
are facing a ‘Kodak moment’, and
not the photo kind, but instead the
kind where technology is moving
at a swift pace and if we don’t
start to think differently about the
potential that renewable energy
brings to our industry, we will be
left behind. With every challenge
comes an opportunity for
innovation and development. We
have huge talent in our industry –
we just need some brave souls to
start the wheels in motion.
Kiwanuka has thrown down
the gauntlet to companies with
stakes in charging for electricity,
she adds: “There are parts of our
industry that might suffer from a
shift in the commercial balance,
if they do take advantage of being
part of the solution. Our trade
associations are at the heart of
those conversations and are keen
to embrace the ideas that are
currently on the table. All it will
take though, is for one company
to find the niche route to making
this work – that will be the game
changer. It will be interesting to
see who comes to the fore.”
AEV Director Rachel Parker
recognises the growing demand
and importance of using portable
power-packs, and that the battery
section of the eGuide is out-of-
date. She said: “Our working
groups - specifically the cross-
association Health & Safety
Group, the Technical Electrics
Group and the technology groups
- have explored this topic for
some time, inviting experts on
alternative power to speak at their
meetings. From these discussions,
and discussions at the AEV board,
it’s clear that any changes will
need to be managed by member
venues individually - and our
aim, as always, is to provide our
members with the most up-to-
date and detailed advice and
recommendations.
It’s important to remember that
whilst much of the discussion
revolves around the deployment
of Lithium Ion and other high-
efficiency battery power sources,
alternative power encompasses a
whole slew of new technologies
that, whilst not making much
visible impact at this moment,
will also be a large part of the
future of events and venue. Our
responsibility is to ensure our
members are ready to face longer-
term technological change, on a
sustainable and environmentally
sound footing, as well as informed
and equipped to deal with the
exigent issues of the day.”
November — 17