Sustainable energy solutions for the events
Sustainability has moved from a nice-to-have to a must-have in event planning. Audiences, sponsors and cities now expect cleaner operations alongside flawless delivery. Energy is a major lever. Temporary systems, power stages, broadcast compounds, fan zones and hospitality, which means the choices you make about power generation and controls have a direct impact on emissions, noise and cost.
Temporary power can reduce that impact when it is designed as a hybrid system that uses batteries to smooth peaks, solar to shoulder daytime loads, and cleaner fuels to cover essential generation. Aggreko delivers this model for events across Australia through integrated event power solutions and sustainable event approaches, so organisers can cut fuel burn without risking uptime.
The importance of sustainable energy in the events industry
Environmental impact
Traditional diesel-only power produces avoidable emissions, especially during low-load idling. Right-sizing, adding battery energy storage and introducing renewables lowers fuel consumption and CO₂e, while reducing noise around sensitive areas. Aggreko’s battery energy storage systems and solar solutions are designed to do exactly that on temporary sites.
Public demand for sustainability
Event-goers are increasingly eco-conscious and brands want measurable progress. Leading properties are reshaping expectations, from Coldplay’s touring model to global sailing championships targeting clean power. Coldplay reports a 59 percent reduction in direct tour CO₂e versus its previous stadium tour after two years of Music of the Spheres, supported by batteries, renewables and efficiency.
Regulations and industry standards
Councils, venues and rights holders are tightening noise and emissions requirements. Sports like SailGP have published targets for 100 percent clean event power, which is accelerating the shift to hybrid temporary systems.
Key sustainable energy solutions for events
What it does: Batteries reduce generator runtime by handling short peaks and covering low-load periods or overnight base loads. That improves generator load factor, cuts fuel and lowers noise on site.
Where it helps most: Stages with spiky audio loads, broadcast OB compounds, VIP or media zones that benefit from silent operation, and overnight security or site lighting.
What to consider: Size to your peak shaving and silent hours goals, and integrate with controls for seamless changeovers.
Examples in practice: Film and TV sets, the Coldplay world tour’s battery-backed shows, SailGP technical compounds, Formula 1 paddocks, and Australian festivals such as Ekka build-ups and city fan zones.
What it does: HVO is a drop-in replacement for diesel in modern generators. It offers lower lifecycle emissions and reduced particulates without engine modification, which makes it a practical step when combustion is still needed. See Aggreko’s HVO-compatible generator fleet.
Examples in practice: HVO has been used at SailGP events and within the broader film industry. Aggreko’s Sydney Sail Grand Prix deployment achieved a 23,533 kg CO₂e reduction by running temporary power on HVO.
What it does: Rapidly deployable ground-mount or rooftop solar provides a clean daytime contribution. It can charge batteries, shoulder base load and reduce generator hours.
How to use it: Add solar where space and orientation allow, for example at air shows, fan parks or festival back-of-house compounds. Aggreko’s solar solutions integrate with BESS and generators as part of a single plan.
Examples in practice: SailGP has installed large temporary solar arrays at selected events. Australian festivals such as Falls Festival have combined battery and solar to cut runtime and emissions.
Two important enablers round out a robust sustainable plan:
- Telemetry and controls. Remote monitoring gives real-time visibility of load, fuel and run status across zones, supporting proactive maintenance and accurate reporting.
- Fuel logistics. Efficient fuel management minimises deliveries and reduces spill risk while keeping HVO or diesel stocks aligned to real demand.
How Aggreko supports sustainable events
Sustainable event examples
Aggreko has delivered hybrid systems for some of the world’s most demanding shows.
- SailGP, Sydney. HVO-powered temporary generation delivered 22,770 kWh with 9,141 litres of fuel, avoiding 23,533 kg CO₂e and demonstrating clean power at scale.
- The Open. A hybrid of solar, battery and cleaner fuels supported the 149th Open, helping reduce emissions by more than 600 tonnes CO₂.
- Falls Festival. Hybrid power with batteries and solar cut diesel runtime and saved more than 30 tonnes of CO₂ across the event.
- Film and TV. Hybrid power on set reduces fuel use and noise.
- Global motorsport. Temporary power and cooling at major race weekends show how hybrid and low-emission technologies maintain performance at scale.
Innovation in energy solutions
Aggreko continues to invest in greener technologies and transition pathways through our Energising Change framework. In parallel, market leaders are setting the pace. Coldplay’s independently assessed update reported a 59 percent cut in direct tour emissions compared with 2016 to 2017, and SailGP has targeted 100 percent clean event power.