Voltstack® in the field

Voltstacks BESS units replace generators at USGA golf tournament

In August 2018, Portable Electric showcased the benefits of clean portable battery energy storage systems during the United States Golf Association (USGA) 118th Amateur Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach, CA. By replacing traditional gas generators with Voltstack units, the event significantly reduced costs, noise pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating a sustainable energy solution for live broadcast productions.

Table Of Contents

The Challenge

Live broadcast productions, such as those by Fox Sports, require reliable and continuous power distributed throughout large venues like golf courses. Traditionally, small gas and diesel generators have been used, creating significant noise pollution and emitting noxious fumes. For the Pebble Beach Golf Tournament, the use of 20 to 80 gas generators posed a challenge due to their environmental impact and the need for continuous operation from morning until the end of the day, consuming substantial amounts of fuel and contributing to CO2 emissions.

The Solution

From August 13th to 19th, 2018, Portable Electric deployed its Voltstack clean energy battery storage systems across the Pebble Beach Golf Course. The Voltstack units were strategically positioned to power cameras, RF equipment, and sound recording devices at various points.

Locations and Equipment:

  • Camera Tower at 17th Green / 18th Tee:
    • Equipment: 1 x Voltstack 5k (5 kilowatt power output x 5.6 kilowatt-hour battery capacity) + 1 x 300W solar panel
    • Daily Power Draw: 615W
    • Backup: Honda 3000 generator on site
  • Camera Tower at 7th Green / 8th Tee:
    • Equipment: 1 x Voltstack 5k (5 kilowatt power output x 5.6 kilowatt-hour battery storage capacity)
    • Daily Power Draw: 350W
    • Backup: Honda 3000 generator on site
  • RF Mini Site at 6th Fairway:
    • Equipment: 1 x Voltstack 2k (2.5 kilowatt power output x 2.8 kilowatt-hour battery capacity) + 1 x 300W solar panel
    • Backup: Replaced Honda 2000 generator
  • RF Mini Site at 10th Fairway:
    • Equipment: 1 x Voltstack 2k (2.5 kilowatt power output x 2.8 kilowatt-hour battery capacity) + 1 x 300W solar panel
    • Backup: Replaced Honda 2000 generator
Voltstack 2k and 5k BESS units at the USGA 118th Amateur Golf Tournament

RF Towers:
The RF towers on the side of the fairways were operated using the Voltstack power station and solar combination with a consistent draw of only 125W. Each RF mini setup abated 12 gallons of fuel and 211 lbs of CO2, totaling 24 gallons of fuel and 422 lbs of CO2 for the two RF setups over the week.

  • Performance:
    • Without solar: Voltstack 2k powered the setup for up to 20 hours.
    • With solar energy, the units can run indefinitely.
    • Potential Savings: With six RF mini-sites, 72 gallons of fuel and 1,266 lbs of CO2 could be abated for a tournament.

Camera Towers:
The camera towers were successfully powered by the Voltstack 5k electric generator. The power draw ranged from 350W at the 7th green tower to 615W at the 17th green tower.

  • Performance:
    • Required a daily top-up of 2 hours of charge from the generator without sufficient solar.
    • Generator run-time was reduced by 75%, significantly lowering CO2 emissions and fuel costs.
    • Without solar or a gas generator, a Voltstack 5k could power the setup for 8 to 14 hours.
    • Each camera tower setup abated 23 gallons of fuel and 405 lbs of CO2, totaling 46 gallons of fuel and 792 lbs of CO2 for both towers.
  • Future Applications:
    • Adding more solar panels could make these locations self-sufficient.
    • Potential fuel abatement per tower for the 6-day event with full solar: 30 gallons and 528 lbs of CO2.
Voltstack BESS at Golf Tournament

The Result

  • Abated upwards of 1,214 pounds worth of CO2e
  • Reduced fuel consumption by 70 gallons

  • Reliable sine wave power 24/7

  • Saved fuel costs

  • No poisonous fumes

  • Reduced set-up time

  • No tripping hazards

  • No generator noise on the course
  • Safe environment for the players and fans
  • Ability to hide power and broadcast equipment in a single tent.

  • Monitoring and tracking energy consumption and usage through NeuronOS™.

Wider Applications

The success of the Voltstack units at the USGA 118th Amateur Golf Tournament highlights their potential for various other industries and applications. These clean power solutions can be effectively used in:

  • Healthcare Facilities: Providing silent and reliable backup power for critical medical equipment – especially during power outages.
  • Construction Sites: Offering an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel generators at construction job sites.
  • Events and Festivals: Ensuring a quieter and more sustainable power source for various temporary setups.

By integrating Voltstack units, industries can achieve significant environmental and operational benefits, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future. Portable Electric and Fox Sports have laid the groundwork for further adoption of clean energy solutions in golf tournaments and other large-scale events worldwide.

To learn more about how Voltstack clean energy electric generators can help your events become more sustainable, get in touch with an Energy Consultant today!