A Reading business has developed an innovative solution to the global problem of ‘always-on’ LED display screens.
LED screens have transformed our experience of sport. They immerse us in the action on the field and help audiences experience a sense of togetherness. They also offer significant revenue generation for clubs, through advertising.
But…did you know that most of these screens are never turned off?! Even when not in use (and despite appearances) most screens actually display a black image to avoid the high costs and technical risks associated with ‘switch-on’ power surges. This is the norm worldwide.
In the UK, a football stadium is generally used only for official matches on approximately 25 to 30 days per year, depending on the league.
Can you imagine what this costs football clubs, not just in electricity bills but in sustainability creds? And it’s not just football clubs that use large display screens. The hospitality industry, advertisers and retailers are also suffering these hidden energy losses from display screens.
The financial and environmental impact of ‘black’ screens
Pioneer Group, a Reading-based business, did the sums for a typical sports stadium setup of 500 linear metres of mid-tier LEDs:
- Despite being ‘off’ in appearance, the black screen mode still consumes 45kW of power, compared with a peak white image of 180kW. Over 24 hours, this amounts to 1,080 kWh per day (45kW x 24).
- At an electricity cost of £0.25 per kWh, this translates to £270 per day for a black screen
- Annually, this equates to an estimated £98,550 per year—just from mid-tier displays.
A local solution to a global problem
This local business, based in Suttons Business Park, has developed an innovative power management solution called LEED Power Manager which allows screen operators to power down their LEDs without risking the effects of ‘power on’ surges. The system can be retrofitted to existing stadium screens, and it can be deployed for other LED displays such as the large display outside Reading train station.
How does it work? The system ‘intelligently’ manages power distribution and optimises standby energy consumption, which ensures that perimeter and mid-tier LEDs consume minimal or zero energy when not in use.
In their hypothetical stadium with 500 linear metres of mid-tier LEDs, the saving is 1,080 kWh per day on days when these screens are not in use. This could add up to a CO2 reduction in excess of 361,800 kWh a year, and costs savings in excess of £98,550 a year.
A challenge to stadium managers in the UK and beyond
Stadiums across the country currently have inefficient LED solutions, leading to avoidable operational costs and significant avoidable CO2 emissions. Every football club has an opportunity to play a bigger role in collective climate action to reduce CO2 emissions. ReadingCAN calls on all operators of large LED display screens to investigate your opportunities to cut CO2 emissions.
Please let us know how you get on!
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