Solar, CHP and LED lighting cut energy consumption in leading Bournemouth venues

To run green and lean at the same time, we are deploying a mix of practical technologies in conjunction with our partners to deliver the biggest energy dividend, for the least possible cost.

Most recently at Bournemouth International Centre, the south coast’s largest event venue, one of the region’s largest flat rooftop solar photo voltaic (PV) installations has been installed. Designed by Empower Energy Ltd the solar system operates with the latest technologies and benefits from full online monitoring using panel optimisation to enable each panel to be monitored separately.

The system is expected to generate over 235,000KWh of electricity for the venue per annum. This will save over 140 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to planting 57,000 trees every year.

“This was a challenging installation – we had to crane nearly 900 solar PV panels over buildings to the top floor of the car park and transfer to the rooftop,”

says Ryan McShea, Managing Director of Empower Energy.

“The system took three weeks to install and the venue operated as usual.”

The new system is supported by Bournemouth Borough Council and complements the venues solar thermal system which was installed in partnership with the Council to generate the venue’s hot water.

The systems are the latest in a number of initiatives to dramatically cut energy costs, consumption and carbon footprint across all BH Live-operated venues.

Energy-saving initiatives are cutting energy dependence, costs and CO2 emissions using proven, state-of-the-art technology in energy production, lighting, heating and air conditioning,

says BH Live’s Head of Facilities Management, Peter Portnoi.

“To complement the recent solar installation, a sensory lighting scheme in the Bournemouth International Centre’s multi-storey car park has saved 134,378 kWh of power and reduced carbon emissions by 45% in its first year. A combined heat and power installation at Littledown Centre, one of the UK’s busiest leisure centres, is also expected to save a further 376 tonnes of CO2 equivalent to taking 79 cars off the road each year.”

LED lighting, thermal insulation and variable speed drives are among other energy-saving schemes being installed throughout venues in conjunction with and supported by our partners.

Read more about green initiatives at bhlive.org.uk/case-studies.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Elizabeth Symmons, BH Live PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: elizabeth.symmons@bhlive.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

About Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)

Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. Set in the heart of Bournemouth, with panoramic views across Bournemouth Bay, it is the South Coast’s premier conference, exhibition, entertainment, and hospitality venue, with licensed capacity for up to 10,000 visitors. Four main halls and variety of smaller meeting and hospitality areas can be blended and scaled to host multi-hall conferences, exhibitions, meetings, major music concerts, dance and comedy performances. bhlive.org.uk/business

About BH Live

BH Live is the South Coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues – a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.

With nearly three million visits a year and £35 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – and is at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.

In 2014/15, BH Live hosted 400 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 2.2 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 93,000 conference and exhibition delegates which contributed  an estimated £37 million to the local economy.