The O2 Arena has announced it become the first venue in the world to trial 10 ground-breaking wind turbines around the stadium, using the breezy conditions of the Greenwich Peninsula for power.
Ten of the "vertical wind turbines" will soon be installed surrounding the arena, providing sustainable power for the building after signing a deal with a local Kent start-up.
The new breed of turbine is said to be able to spin from even a gentle movement of air, or a passing car.
AEG, the owners and operators of the O2 Arena, say they are committed to reducing its carbon footprint by reducing GHG emissions and exploring news ways to power the planet, "utilising its global entertainment venues."
"The venue continuously looks for ways to maintain a reliable supply of 100% carbon-free electricity."
Over nine million people visit the O2 in Greenwich each year, with energy historically carbon-free from offsite, grid scale resources.
But the installation of 10 kW of wind generation, the O2 predicts it could produce up to 87,600 kWhs a year, which is the equivalent to the eletricity used by 23 British homes.
Lee Lacey, Facility Director at The O2 said: “We are so incredibly excited to be collaborating with the team at Alpha 311 and be the first venue in the world to install their commercial wind turbines.
"We have been searching for a suitable wind generated power source to help reduce our GHG emissions and assist in our ambition to achieve a carbon net zero venue.
"The opportunity to provide a local on-site source of power generation is huge and we hope this trial provides the launch pad of many more installations not only at The O2 and other AEG venues but across the Greenwich Peninsula and throughout the UK.”
AEG say that whilst this is overall a small portion of The O2’s energy needs, it is an exciting new step into the future of local and distributed 100% carbon free electricity generation.
The company also stressed a number of other energy reduction projects currently ongoing, including green cleaning, a state-of-the-art waste compound and an on-site Wormery and Eco-Digester.
The venue has been procuring green electricity for the entire site since 2015 and this has had a significant impact on reducing GHG emissions by around 6,000 metric tons each year.
The wind turbines come from a collaboration with Alpha 311, a company which began in a garden shed in Kent and now has interest world-wide.
Alpha 311 CEO, Barry Thompson added: "We're so pleased that The O2 is the first to sign up with us globally.
"The Alpha 311 turbine was born in Britain with international aspirations, so it's fitting that we're working with the world’s most popular music, entertainment and leisure venue.
"It's not just a London landmark, it's a global icon, and we couldn't be more proud, or thankful, for The O2's belief in us.”
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