During Super Bowl LI, fans will be paying attention to the game on the field between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, and for some, the $5 million advertisement spots will take center stage. Yet, while Houston-based company NRG Energy is situated more behind-the-scenes for the Super Bowl, the power entity drives NRG Stadium from an energy and lighting standpoint.
NRG Stadium is the fifth Super Bowl host stadium that NRG has worked with over the years. The installation of 65,000 energy-efficient LED lights and 600 solar panels decreases energy and electricity usage by 60 percent compared to the old system, ultimately saving money as well. It is also enough to power over 30 average American homes for a whole year.
In 2011, NRG’s first stadium partner was FedExField, home of the Washington Redskins, around installing renewable/sustainable energy.
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According to Elizabeth Killinger, President of Retail at NRG Energy, the entry into sports stemmed from an “opportunity to increase the awareness of what energy solutions were available both to people at their businesses and at professional sporting and entertainment venues as well as for people’s homes.
“We see it as part of our responsibility to help lead the energy industry transformation and so part of that is powering the stadiums on game day through completely alternative energy solutions.”
NRG Stadium is the sixth professional football stadium NRG has upgraded with renewable energy technology, with some others being Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets/Giants) and Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles).
All six of the venues have some level of solar insulation while others — like Lincoln Financial Field — are powered by wind generators as well.