Innovation and Optimization of Energy Systems in the Temporary Entertainment Events Industry

Abstract

An unprecedented view into the nature of energy systems in the Temporary Entertainment Events Industry (TEEI) is developed. A characterization of the context of the latter and its energy systems state-of-the-art is performed. Allowing for the main development of the present study, the modeling of temporary energy systems in the TEEI, ultimately delivering a tool for the assessment of the performance of these systems at a level of analytical detail previously inexistent in the industry. In the absence of previews literature on the topic, state-of-the-art modeling techniques have been reviewed from the field of small-scale polygeneration system to develop a customized approach for the modeling of temporary energy systems. An Integrated Design, Synthesis and Operation Optimization (IDSOO) approach has been adapted in a Mixed Integer Linear Programing (MILP) model and contextualized for the TEEI. Additionally, a customized approach has been developed for the treatment and compression of the original energy demand curves in a separate optimization algorithm defined in respect to the constraints and priorities of the given context. The model has been developed to cater to the evaluation of the targets set by the Festival Vision 2025 pledge. Which is then applied in a case study event set in the United Kingdom (UK), with over 50 000 visitors over a period of 4 days. In addition to the evaluation of the pledge’s targets, two additional scenarios are created to better explore to full potential of the methodology presently developed. Namely, first an integrated system approach and its benefits has been evaluated to counterpose the established practice of isolating the event’s energy sub-systems. Secondly, the effects of the prevailing energy demand uncertainty in TEEI and its typical preference of overgenerous systems’ designs are analyzed in a hypothetical, yet representative, scenario. Finally, given the pioneering nature of the developed study, a listing has been made with the argued most relevant future study topics that were found to offer the highest benefits to the TEEI. In conclusion, it has been found that there seems to be more potential than previously thought for the improvement of the performance of the TEEI’s current energy systems. It is shown that even when optimized, isolated generator-based systems in some cases will inevitably incur into undesired operational conditions, thus demonstrating the limits of the current practices and technology selection. Nevertheless, it was found that, at least for the given case study, the Festival Vision 2025 medium term targets are achievable even when resorting solely to the optimization of the current diesel-based systems. Reinstating the need for better energy systems planning and designs. Ultimately, it was concluded that the developed model fulfills the objective of representing the TEEIs energy systems to a level of detail unprecedented and that it, or similar tools, could be used to quantify and substantiate the implications of the industry’s environmental goals for its energy systems.