Innovation

The Future of Energy

Published at 4 October 2022

On September 10, 2022, the first energy workshop took place in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Delegates from companies such as BAM, Honeywell and Groendus were complemented by Ajax and the initiators of the ArenA. While the price of energy has skyrocketed, it is vital to think about both energy generation and energy consumption.

Local Generation

While the price of energy has quadrupled in recent months, the demand for local energy is becoming increasingly significant. Johan Cruijff ArenA generates its own energy with an amount of 4200 solar panels on the roof. This electricity is stored in the 3 Megawatt battery, which is housed in the stadium's basement. Although the amounts are enormous in absolute terms (for comparison: an average household consumes the electricity generated by approximately 25 solar panels), the numbers for a company like the Johan Cruijff ArenA are relative. The stadium consumes a multiple of these 3 Megawatts each year! For example, think of the lights and sound that is needed for all concerts, events and, of course, the football matches. But also the restaurants, HVAC systems, refrigeration and grass growth lighting are major consumers.

At the moment investigation is conducted for the possibility to install even more solar panels on the roof, but wind energy is also being looked at.

Smart consumption

Energy consumption is linked to certain commitments. The light intensity cannot be reduced during an event or football match. Smart consumption is possible though by turning off the lights when a room is empty. And by creating awareness among users, considerable savings can be made. This can also be largely automated by means of measurement systems. The same applies to the climate control systems, because one degree less can already yield a lot of savings.

Many ideas were put forward during the workshop, some of which were surprising and perhaps even groundbreaking. From all lighting that has not yet been replaced with LED lighting, to conscious notification of hot/cold areas, and from optimization through data analysis to dynamic thermostats in the refrigerators.

Conclusion

It is great to notice that the large companies in the Johan Cruijff ArenA ecosystem also want to contribute to the building's sustainability. In the coming period, we will work out many ideas and investigate their feasibility, to actually implement them after.