Fuel Cells in Sports

In a single moment, sports have the ability to electrify an entire stadium. This energy flows throughout the crowd and fluctuates with the intensity of the contest being observed. This energy, however, only fuels the atmosphere of the arena; it doesn’t actually power the stadiums. The electricity generated for these venues, like most houses and buildings across the country, is a part of the electricity grid. With growing concern about the fuel used to power the grid, sporting venues are taking an active role in mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. One sustainable option that has been incorporated into stadiums and arenas for multiple sports is hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots, utilizes fuel cells to meet nearly 50% of the stadium’s energy demand. The stadium uses Bloom Energy’s Energy Servers, which provide 2 megawatts (MW) of power. The Energy Servers are solid oxide fuel cells. The incorporation of the Energy Servers is expected to reduce Gillette Stadium’s CO2 emissions by 1,500 metric tons per year compared to their previous reliance on grid power. The Energy Servers were installed in a microgrid-ready manner, which will allow the stadium to easily scale-up to a microgrid.

Bloom Energy’s Energy Servers supply renewable energy to meets roughly 50% of Gillette Stadium’s energy needs.

The Philadelphia Eagles have also incorporated hydrogen technology into the stadium’s infrastructure. The Eagles have partnered with PDC Machines to furnish Lincoln Financial Field with a SimpleFuel hydrogen refueling unit. The SimpleFuel hydrogen station will power vehicles and material handling equipment.

The SimpleFuel hydrogen refueling unit will power vehicles, such as the one shown above, as well as material handling equipment.

Hydrogen fuel cells in sports are not limited to the National Football League. LSK Enterprises, an ice resurfacer repair specialist, developed a fuel cell-powered ice resurfacer eP-ICEBEAR. The eP-ICEBEAR has been used for skating and hockey rinks. The eP-ICEBEAR was the first hydrogen-powered ice resurfacer and was displayed for the first time in 2006.

In 2015, Bloom Energy fuel cells were installed in the Staples Center, home to NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams in the Los Angeles area. The completed project will provide roughly 25% of the Staples Center’s energy demand by utilizing the 500 kilowatts (kW) capacity of the installed fuel cells. With the Bloom Energy fuel cells in use, the Staples Center is expected to reduce its carbon emissions by 2.2 million pounds.

Fuel cell vehicles prototypes have made appearances in race car competitions. Students from the Dutch college Delft University of Technology developed, tested, and raced the Forze VIII, which finished second in a field of 43 petrol-powered race cars. This was the first time a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle beat a petrol-powered race car in an official race. The car can accelerate from 0 km/hr to 100 km/hr in less than 4 seconds. Its top speed is 210 km/hr. Refueling takes three minutes. Additionally, Plug Power has burst onto the scene of Formula One racing by partnering with Formula One constructor Alpine F1. Plug Power’s logo will be featured on the A521 car and Alpine F1’s racewear.

Formula One constructor Alpine F1’s A521 car features Plug Power’s logo on the front red area, representing the partnership between the two.

In the coming years, professional sports leagues, teams, and stakeholders will feel the pressure to incorporate more sustainable technology into their sporting venues. Hydrogen fuel cells have already proven to be a viable solution for multiple stadiums spanning multiple sports. The impact hydrogen fuel cells can have on sports has just scratched the surface. If the sporting industry can incorporate more hydrogen fuel cells into the everyday operations of sports leagues and teams, a sustainable sporting industry is not as far off in the future as it may seem.