Keeping the International Boat Show afloat with ultra-low emission generators and air conditioner rental
Client: Informa
Location: North America – Fort Lauderdale
Sectors: Events
The Challenge
Temporary power and cooling on land and sea
Every year in late October or early November, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show welcomes 1,400 boats and 1,100 vendors to a show spanning many miles and split across five locations.
This is an enormous undertaking that takes months of planning, not least when it comes to reliable utility power and temporary cooling. With the Florida heat typically topping 80 °F, keeping every boat, tent, and visitor cool is no easy task. The challenge is made even more complex by the varying terrain: All of the cables need to be safely run on land, but they also need to span large stretches of water and contend with the tides. As a result, installing the solution took significant thought, planning, and expertise to ensure absolute safety and reliability.
But Informa trusted Aggreko to take on the task: “I approached Aggreko and asked if [they] were capable of taking over these issues out on the water,” said Randy Sorensen, Informa Electrical Manager. “And [they] said that they could handle anything.”
Adding to the challenge, Informa asked Aggreko to help design a temporary power solution that would also reduce emissions and energy use, reducing the carbon footprint of the event.
Key Facts
The Solutions
Reliable, eco-friendly generator power and cooling
To provide cooling for the entire show, Aggreko installed a solution comprising chillers, air conditioners, air handlers, and 130,000 feet of cabling, supported by multiple generators spread across the five locations.
This equipment came with extensive support from the Aggreko team – a crucial element for Informa. “If we have issues, we need somebody to pick up the phone and make something happen,” said Randy. “That’s exactly what we’ve gotten from Aggreko.”
What made this project a resounding success, however, was its green credentials. The Aggreko team used ultra-low-emissions Tier 4 Final generators, compliant with even the most onerous EPA requirements. What’s more, they built a modular “load-on-demand” power generation solution, using multiple small units rather than fewer larger-capacity generators. This meant that power could easily be scaled up or down to perfectly meet the demands of the event, reducing wasted fuel and emissions.
The Impact
Plain sailing for a legendary event
Thanks to the use of more eco-friendly generators, the event’s organizers were able to reduce particulate volume by 98% and NOx gas by 96% respectively. Meanwhile, the load-on-demand solution scaled capacity up and down according to demand, providing all the power the event needed without wasting fuel or creating unnecessary emissions.
Aggreko delivered all of this without any unplanned downtime or interruptions – ensuring all elements of the boat show, whether on land or on sea, enjoyed all the cooling and power they needed for yet another successful event. Despite the challenges of installing power cables over both land and water, Informa’s power supply was entirely uninterrupted – and, crucially, the boat show’s guests were always kept perfectly safe.