In a move towards sustainability, Super Bowl 58 made history by becoming the first-ever Super Bowl powered entirely by renewable energy. In a recent report, CBS Mornings delved into the details of this green initiative, exploring the sources of renewable energy and the measures taken to make this Super Bowl an eco-friendly spectacle. Here’s the full story.
Adopting Renewable Energy Practices
The venue for this historic event, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, is home to the Raiders and stands as a testament to the National Football League’s dedication to adopting renewable energy practices.
The solar energy that powered Super Bowl 58 originated from a vast solar farm located in the desolate Nevada desert. Senior National and Environmental Correspondent Ben Tracy took viewers on a journey to this solar installation, showing the impressive scale of the operation.
The Solar Farm
He shared that the solar farm, boasting an array of 621,000 panels, was a shimmering marvel in the Nevada desert. The sheer size of this solar field was highlighted, with the capability to serve close to 60,000 residential customers or power a stadium of significant magnitude. Allegiant Stadium, the chosen venue for Super Bowl 58, proudly claimed to be the first NFL stadium powered entirely by 100% renewable energy, setting a new standard for sustainable sports events.
Envy Energy, the owner of the solar installation, had entered into a 25-year agreement to supply power to Allegiant Stadium. Doug Cannon, CEO of Envy Energy, revealed that the energy required for Super Bowl Sunday exceeded 10 megawatts, equivalent to powering approximately 46,000 homes. The commitment to sustainability was ingrained in the stadium’s construction process, with Raiders President Sandra Douglas Morgan highlighting the use of sustainable materials for the stadium roof.
Several Approaches Are Made
The roof, made of sustainable plastic material, allowed in 10% of daylight while blocking solar heat, contributing to energy efficiency in cooling the building. Further environmental considerations included a rail system for the grass field, allowing it to be moved outdoors to receive natural sunlight instead of relying on energy-intensive growing lights.
Additionally, the stadium adopted a comprehensive approach to waste management, composting everything from grass clippings to food scraps and cigarette butts.
How Energy Is Stored
The video also featured a visit from the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, sharing the credibility and reliability of renewable power. Granholm addressed common concerns about the reliability of renewable energy, saying that the successful use of renewable power to sustain a facility like Allegiant Stadium spoke volumes about the potential for similar initiatives in other communities.
Crucially, the solar farm incorporated massive batteries to store renewable energy, ensuring a continuous power supply even when the sun was not shining. This energy storage capacity was identified as a significant component in achieving the goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035, as outlined by the U.S. President.
The Concerns
As the video concluded, the question of whether there was enough power to meet the demands of a Super Bowl halftime show featuring the likes of Usher was addressed. The assurance was given that there was more than enough power to accommodate the extravagant lights and fanfare associated with such performances.
In closing, the video acknowledged that while the Super Bowl’s on-field and halftime show moments would undoubtedly be memorable, Super Bowl 58 would go down in history for its commitment to sustainability and its groundbreaking shift to renewable energy.
So what are your thoughts? With Super Bowl 58 setting a precedent for large-scale events powered by renewable energy, do you believe other major sports and entertainment venues should follow suit in adopting sustainable practices?
