Organisers prioritise efficient power consumption

But with budgets squeezed at every level, this could be a year where a few more pence per litre becomes a hike too far.

“The government needs to drop the tax on fuel,” Shaun Pearce, managing director of Pearce Hire says. “We’ve experienced similar peaks before, but this is coming at a time when a lot of companies are still in recovery, and it could have serious consequences.”

Red diesel costs less, but with fuel bills passed from an event’s power provider to the client, surely, carbon footprints aside, there’s a bottom line cash incentive for organisers to properly investigate their requirements.

“As oil becomes scarcer it’s inevitable that we’ll see more and more of these spikes,” Tim Shaw, managing director at Tower Productions says. “It should drive people to be more conscious of their usage, but we’re not seeing too much of it yet,” he admits. “It may be more of a concern for smaller organisers, but fuel consumption isn’t a huge percentage of the cost of bigger events, and there’s definitely room for improvement. In practice, you’d need to have a guy going round a site monitoring the loads on every machine, but maybe there’s scope for someone to set up and provide that service?”

“A lot of our work is repeat business, but rising fuel costs are becoming an issue,” Martyn Smith, director at BRM Productions says. “We have to reflect that in our charges. Several clients, including local authorities, are coming in with very precise requirements, and requests for cheaper options.”

“Demand for quotes is high at the moment,” Neil Page, market manager at Speedy Asset Services, says. “We’re finding a lot more events getting their specifications in place sooner this year, which I do think is a result of looking at things more closely and trying to save money. Last year we had an enquiry in May for 60 odd generators for an event in early June. This year we’ve already quoted on it, and we find out next week if we’ve got the job. And that’s great, it helps us get our assets in place.”

Profit margins may be narrower where suppliers are holding their charges to remain competitive, but investment continues, driven as much by innovation and a desire to offer better solutions as by the intention to safeguard supply and/or capitalise on increased demand come summer 2012.

BRM recently expanded its premises and made substantial outlay in generators, tanks and distribution equipment in readiness for this season, and beyond. Meanwhile Sparks Power has introduced silent generators to its road tow fleet.

“They won’t be applicable on all projects, but if you’ve got a generator running for long periods in a residential area, say for overnight refrigeration, it will make a big difference,” director Andy Johnson explains.

IDE Systems has developed a telemetry device that can be fitted to its range of mains distribution boards to provide remote alerts to any configuration changes or faults. A call or SMS message is triggered, with the option to disable the board if required.

“The benefits of identifying and rectifying electricity supply problems more efficiently will be particularly useful to those in the event industry,” IDE’s chief electrical engineer, Lee Fielding, says.

“All power service companies are having to review their equipment and the way they approach installation planning and design, not just in light of the revision to BS 7909, but also due to the economic pressures,” Jerry Stevens, director at Templine, says. “We’ve had a year of change and consolidation, not only in our approach to business, but also in terms of capital expenditure, revamping stock to conform with the new guidelines. We also have an obligation to do our utmost to reduce our carbon footprint in all aspects of our service delivery and execution.”

“We’re event-focused,” Johnson adds. “Customers know if they come to us they’re getting a power supplier, not just hire of a generator.”

Game On

Efficiency has long been a watchword for suppliers. New, scrupulously maintained kit and its proper application, the right kVA for the job, makes financial as well as environmental sense. And where the client is of the same mind, there can be big steps forward.

LOCOG set out to host ‘the most sustainable Games to date’ in London 2012, and minimising greenhouse gas emissions is key to the plan. EDF Energy, a Tier One partner, will be providing electricity from low-carbon or renewable sources during the Games, and Aggreko, official temporary energy services supplier, is investigating the options, from biodiesel, to particulate removal, to fuel cell and hybrid technology.

Having previously supplied the Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Aggreko will provide temporary power across 39venues in London and beyond, encompassing the opening and closing ceremonies and field-of-play lighting at the various stadia. It will also assist in powering the International Broadcasting Centre. Most of the equipment used will be manufactured at its Scottish factory.

“The Games work is entirely separate to our regular UK event business,” Aggreko’s Olympics business director, Robert Wells, comments. “David Taylor and his team continue to focus on working with their clients on the likes of Glastonbury and Proms in the Park. And with reference to sustainability, our model is to ensure the equipment we invest in for next summer will be utilised in our business in future.” To that end, Aggreko will certainly be looking ahead to 2014, when the Winter Olympics take place in Sochi and the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow.

Firefly Solar trialled a prototype hydrogen fuel cell developed by Bredenoord at festivals including Glastonbury and Lovebox last summer, with positive results. It is also building more of its compact Cygnus generators, which have batteries that can be charged by a range of renewable sources including solar, wind and pedal power, or take excess capacity from elsewhere.

“We’ve done a lot of work on designing a Mark II product,” managing director Andy Mead tells Access. “It has a footprint of less than one square metre, it’s forkliftable, and it’s really user-friendly, completely plug and play. It was built in response to client feedback, and we’re selling them too, primarily to NGOs working on development projects overseas.”

Mead has noticed the impact of funding cuts on public sector events, but where they are happening, he’s getting enquiries. Recent projects have included a pedal-powered performance stage for ‘Sustainable Cities Day’ as part of Brighton’s Green Week, and a solar/pedal-powered fi lm screening at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the WWF’s Earth Hour initiative.

The Powerline, meanwhile, has developed a solar/wind powered battery pack designed to load share, dubbed EcoPower, and Speedy has its Emission Buster, a standalone unit designed for use with diesel generators, alongside its substantial inventory of auto start/stop VT-1 Eco Towerlights.

Long View

There’s a depth of experience in the UK temporary power business, focused through and beyond next summer.

“We had a record year in 2010,” Alistair Gregson, marketing manager at The Powerline, says. “We consulted on WOMAD in Abu Dhabi and the media and broadcast power for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and our purpose built generator trucks were a great success with OB clients and for corporate jobs. In June we provided power for the base camps during James Cracknell’s Ride Across Britain. We looked at their spec and worked through a solution, and I think the manner in which we did that brought us their business.

“We take an open, honest approach,” he continues. “Margins are getting smaller but we’re doing the work, and trying to achieve greater efficiencies wherever we can to pass on to our clients.”

Power Logistics again provided for Freeze at Battersea Power Station, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. It was out in Oman too for its 40th National Day celebrations in November and Qatar in January, looking after broadcast power at the AFC Asian Cup.

“The season’s getting longer,” business development manager, Mike Whitehouse, nods. “It’s great to get this kind of overseas work, particularly when it corresponds with the typically quieter period in the UK, and we hope to build on that in 2011. We’re investing in staff and equipment, and we’re strengthening our position with our suppliers ahead of 2012 so that we can guarantee we’ll be there for our clients.”

“If your fuel supplier or your trucking company lets you down at the last minute next summer you’ll be stuck,” Pearce adds. “You’ve got to make arrangements now, especially the nearer to London you are.”

“Without question, there will be generator hire companies popping up in 2012, that will soon disappear,” Paul Jones, director at Ethix Management, says.“It’s about establishing agreements now with your existing suppliers, and if you’re generating a reasonable amount of business for them, contractual obligations shouldn’t be too much to ask.

“And if you’ve got long term relationships with your fuel suppliers there’s no reason you can’t be competitive,” he continues. “I’ve always looked for good prices, and kept our charges close to that, with a small profit margin. This is the first time I’ve had to increase my fuel [rates] for two years, and no-one has come back to me and said they can’t afford it.

“We just got 10 days work on the royal wedding, providing broadcast power and technical support for Associated Press in numerous locations around Buckingham Palace and Westminster, and we’ve got a lot of events in the planning stages. I think it’s going to be a good year, but you’ve got to be competitive, and you’ve got to be realistic.”