About this fact sheet
Powerful Thinking and Firefly have produced this Factsheet to introduce the benefits of creating hybrid power systems, and how event professionals can integrate hybrid technology into their temporary infrastructure. Power has significant implications for the practical, economic and environmental success of any event. Using Hybrid Power Generators can reduce carbon emissions, provide a strong green message to audiences and sponsors, and reduce noise and fuel costs.
Firefly are market leading experts in the design and manufacture of off-grid, portable and solar powered generators. They offer green energy products and services for those looking to reduce the carbon emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels and diesel powered equipment.
How do Hybrid Power Generators (HPGs) work?
A Hybrid Power Generator (HPG) can integrate with range of power sources, to create a Hybrid System, such as:
- Solar
- Wind
- Biodiesel / Diesel Generators
- Mains Grid
How are HPGs used at events?
A Hybrid Power Generator can be used in three different ways:
1. Base Load Management
Connect a HPG to a diesel or biodiesel generator for items with a variable power requirement to ensure the diesel or biodiesel generator only runs when demand is high. Suitable uses include stages, concessions, and production compounds. The HPG detects when load is low and turns off the diesel generator, seamlessly transferring load to its internal energy storage bank. When a higher load is detected, the diesel generator is automatically started, transferring load to the diesel generator and using excess capacity to recharge the HPGs storage bank.
2. Renewable Primary Supply
Connect a HPG to solar panels and/or wind turbine to provide a stand-alone power system and optionally connect a diesel generator for back-up. Solar panels or a wind turbine provide intermittent power to the load. The internal storage system ensures that demand is met when heavy cloud is present or wind speeds are low. If connected to a diesel generator, the HPG will automatically start it and transfer load if the HPG’s storage runs low. Suitable uses include remote site lighting and camping fields (LED festoon), pumps for on-site water management and distribution, small stages, and individual cabins such as box office or security posts.
3. Uninterrupted Power Supply
Connect a HPG to the grid, diesel or biodiesel generator to provide a seamless power transfer and continuous power output in the event of a primary power supply failure. Suitable applications include event critical areas such as police compounds, medical tents and communications systems.
Case Study: We Love Green Festival, Paris
We Love Green festival is one of Europe’s most sustainable festivals set in the majestic scenery of Parc de Bagatelle in Paris.
The festival aims to be the first truly green event in Paris. Catering for an audience of 14,000 over 2 days, We Love Green has a wide range of environmental initiatives including using local service providers, recycling, managing waste, car sharing, deposit system for glasses, providing free water fountains, safe storage for bikes and adopting renewable energy across the site.
Firefly was challenged with designing, installing and running the power infrastructure for the site. Working with the production team, detailed information was collated on the anticipated power requirement and a solution designed using a combination of Biodiesel generators, biodiesel-hybrid systems and solar-hybrid systems.
The main stage which featured artists such as London Grammar, Lorde and Foals, was powered by a solar-biodiesel hybrid system consisting of a synchronised pair of 180kVA biodiesel generators linked to a 120kVA Cygnus HPG system and a 30 folding solar PV arrays.
Additionally, a further 20 biodiesel and solar hybrid systems were deployed across the site to deliver power for the second stage, sponsor zone, LED festoon and flood site lighting and production facilities. Firefly’s range of YouPower energy generating equipment was used, including PedGens which were supplied for mobile phone battery charging and powering smaller entertainment areas.
The entire site power infrastructure was delivered using no fossil fuels and the use of hybrid technology reduced the biodiesel usage by 35% and saved over 3.5 tonnes of CO2.