Energy Saving Week is an annual campaign backed by the UK government to raise awareness about energy efficiency and provide tips on cost-effective ways to conserve energy.
As part of Sunbelt Rentals’ sustainability strategy, Our Planet, they actively lead positive change across the rental industry to deliver a better future. Their strategy includes their commitment to investing in new green technology and innovating with greener solutions that reduce harmful emissions. By championing energy saving practices, they aim to inspire the industry to protect the earth’s resources, during energy saving week.
The Sunbelt Rentals Energy Team is at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices in the industry and pushing boundaries by thinking outside the box. They believe that embracing the responsibility of sustainability will pave the way for the adoption of sustainable energy practices leading to increased efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
They delve into the company’s commitments to a greener future, share their experience on improving onsite energy efficiency and implementing innovative solutions that minimise associated costs.
- Energy management systems: an essential tool to reduce energy consumption.
Sunbelt Rentals’ Head of Electrical Services, Andy Gordon, emphasises the crucial role that businesses play in promoting sustainability through reduced energy consumption.
According to Andy, “Implementing sustainable practices gives businesses the opportunity to take control and effectively manage their energy usage and distribution. This ultimately leads to the informed decision making resulting in significant energy and cost savings.”
To drive down energy consumption, Andy highlights the importance of an Energy Management System (EMS). This innovative system acts as a smart distribution board that can be programmed to automatically turn off devices when not in use. By leveraging this technology, businesses and sites can proactively control when to heat rooms, operate water boilers and set timers for when devices are not in use. Not only does this optimise and reduce energy usage but it empowers businesses to make informed decisions for a more sustainable future.
- Hybridised temporary power.
Matt O’Hara, Head of Clean Energy Sales at Sunbelt Rentals highlights the importance of incorporating hybrid power systems to effectively reduce energy consumption.
This approach combines battery storage technology with a generator, ensuing a continuous power supply while reducing the reliance on traditional fossil fuelled energy resources.
The implementation of a hybrid system allows for the generator to run more efficiency by handling higher power demands while simultaneously charging the battery storage unit to be used when power drops, therefore reducing overall energy consumption. As power demands decrease, typically overnight or during off-peak hours, the load will automatically shift to the battery storage unit, allowing the generator to be switched off. This can result in a significant reduction of up to 50% in fuel and associated costs.
Matt emphasises how this technology demonstrates the potential for businesses to lead by example and set new standards in the industries they operate in and how utilising hybrid technology can achieve both operational success, and the benefit of emission free power.
- Think outside the box for extraordinary results.
Kyle Rogers, Clean Energy Application Manager for the Film and TV market at Sunbelt Rentals, explains how thinking outside the box is ingrained in Sunbelt Rentals’ business and extends into their approach to energy consumption with customers in the Film and TV industry.
Kyle explains that in this industry, where both studio and location filming are constantly taking place, the need for reliable power is essential. However, traditional methods are no longer considered the most effective and Sunbelt Rentals is committed to exploring and implementing new sustainable solutions.
When they were tasked with providing power for Skys’ flagship studios, the team embraced a visionary approach by implementing a power at mains parallel model.
Kyle explains that while the studios had access to mains power, it wasn’t enough to meet peak production demands. The team designed a solution that allowed them to utilise the mains power and store it in an energy storage unit for when it was needed. This innovative approach seamlessly integrates a more sustainable solution and removed the reliance for generators and fossil fuels, resulting in reliable power and financial savings.
Kyle goes on to highlight the success of this project, saying “during times of low energy demand, the mains power charged the energy storage units. Then when demand increases, the energy storage unit can supply the additional power required for the services on set.”
The success of this project showcases Sunbelt Rentals’ ability to think outside the box by offering a tailored solution that not only meets the needs of the customer but also contributes to a more sustainable and energy efficient future.
