Creating greener winter festivals requires creative strategies to reduce their environmental impact. Winter events – from holiday markets and ice festivals to seasonal music gatherings – often face extra challenges: frigid temperatures, short daylight hours, and high energy needs for heating and lighting. Traditionally, many festivals relied on diesel generators and heaters to keep things running and attendees warm. However, with sustainability now a pressing priority, forward-thinking festival organizers are embracing cleaner fuels, smarter power setups, and better insulation to curb fuel consumption and emissions.
In fact, festivals can be massive energy consumers. In the UK alone, events collectively use an estimated 380 million litres of diesel each year, emitting roughly 1.2 million tonnes of CO? (www.crownoil.co.uk) – about the same as the annual emissions of some small countries. For winter festivals, the carbon footprint can be even higher per day due to heating demands and extended lighting.
The good news is that meaningful reductions are within reach. By switching to HVO fuel, integrating battery hybrid systems, and insulating tents and back-of-house areas, festivals around the world are slashing fuel burn without sacrificing the attendee experience. Equally important, they’re tracking energy savings and celebrating their wins transparently – ensuring environmental progress is real and not just greenwashing.
Switching from Diesel to HVO Fuel
One of the most impactful changes a winter festival can make is moving from fossil diesel to HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) as the fuel for generators and vehicles. HVO is a renewable diesel made from waste vegetable oils, fats, or other sustainable feedstocks, and it’s a direct drop-in replacement for regular diesel. This means festival power generators, heaters, and tower lights can run on HVO without modifications, instantly cutting net carbon emissions. Studies have shown that HVO can reduce CO? emissions by as much as 90% compared to standard diesel (www.crownoil.co.uk), along with significant drops in harmful nitrogen oxides and particulates. For a power-hungry winter festival running many generators, that switch dramatically shrinks the event’s carbon footprint.
Real-world example: In Dublin, the city’s Winter Lights festival switched its light display generators to HVO, reporting around a 90% reduction in CO? emissions and cleaner air with no diesel smell (www.irishtimes.com). Major music festivals are also adopting HVO – for instance, Glastonbury Festival in the UK now powers all its onsite generators with HVO and even augments some areas with solar-hybrid units. Smaller events have followed suit using locally sourced biofuels; Shambala Festival (UK) famously eliminated fossil diesel by using waste vegetable oil biofuel alongside solar power, setting an early example for the industry. The key is to work closely with fuel suppliers and plan ahead – ensure HVO is available in your region and schedule deliveries accordingly. While HVO can be slightly more expensive than regular diesel, bulk purchasing and the potential marketing value of clean fuel can offset the cost. Many governments also offer tax incentives or grants for using sustainable fuels, which festival organisers should research in their country.
Challenges and tips: Make sure to verify that your generators and equipment are compatible with HVO (most modern generators are, especially if the HVO meets standard EN15940). It’s wise to have a backup plan if HVO supply is limited – some events blend HVO with diesel if they can’t source 100% HVO. Also, communicate with stakeholders about the switch: for example, inform your crew and production teams that the festival is using a biodiesel-type fuel so they handle it properly (HVO is stable and safe, but it’s good to raise awareness). Engage the local community if possible – for instance, some festivals source HVO derived from local waste cooking oil, which both supports the community and closes the loop on waste. By proudly using renewable fuel, winter festivals not only cut emissions but also set a positive example that can influence suppliers and peers to go greener.
Adding Battery Hybrid Systems for Power
Switching fuels is only one side of the energy equation. Another powerful tactic is to use battery hybrid power systems alongside (or in place of) generators. A battery hybrid system typically consists of a large battery bank and an intelligent control unit paired with a generator (often a diesel or HVO-fueled genset). The idea is to run the generator at its optimal efficiency or only when needed, while the battery supplies power during low-demand times or to cover peak loads. Running generators continuously at low loads wastes fuel and causes unnecessary engine wear.
A battery can store excess energy and then allow the generator to turn off entirely when demand is low – meaning no fuel burned and no noise during those periods. This arrangement can drastically reduce generator run-time and fuel consumption. Generators are most fuel-efficient around 50–80% load; using a battery to shave off times of low load keeps the genset in its sweet spot. Fuel savings of 20–50% (or more) are common with a well-implemented hybrid setup. In one field test, a 60 kVA generator paired with a battery pack saw a nearly 69% reduction in fuel use over a month compared to running a generator alone (summitpower.co.uk). Even a more typical outcome of ~30–40% fuel savings means thousands of litres of diesel (or HVO) not burned over an event’s run. Beyond the carbon reductions, hybrids also cut down noise and local air pollution – a silent battery pack overnight is much appreciated in winter camping areas or by nearby residents trying to sleep.
Real-world example: The trend toward battery hybrids is growing. The renowned Austin City Limits music festival in the USA made headlines by running an entire stage on a battery-powered hybrid system, replacing the usual diesel generators (www.axios.com). Likewise, Lollapalooza in Chicago piloted a similar battery setup for one of its main stages, and other festivals such as the Mill Valley Music Festival have also adopted battery-based power solutions (www.axios.com). In the UK, winter holiday events like the Cheltenham Ice Rink have adopted an HVO generator plus battery combo to power their seasonal attractions – local officials cited this innovative HVO+battery solution as substantially cutting emissions compared to diesel alone (www.bbc.co.uk). The fact that the battery can cover peaks and allow generators to shut off means less fuel burned and also provides a buffer of quiet, reliable power when generators are off.
Implementation tips: Working with a knowledgeable power supplier or energy contractor is crucial. They can help size the battery system correctly for your festival’s needs – for example, calculating how many kWh of storage you need to cover overnight hours or to handle sudden surges when multiple heaters and stage equipment draw power at once. Often, rental companies can provide trailer-mounted battery units that integrate with generator sets. Ask potential suppliers if they offer Stage V compliant generators and battery storage in hybrid packages. During your festival, keep the hybrid system monitored: many modern setups have telemetry showing battery charge level, power load, and when the generator is running. This data can help you fine-tune usage (for instance, if you notice the genset kicking on at 4 AM when temperatures plummet and all the heaters ramp up, you might pre-charge the batteries more before night or use a slightly larger battery bank). Plan the placement of battery units with care – they should be relatively close to the major loads they serve (to minimize transmission losses) and in a weather-protected spot if possible. Batteries don’t love extreme cold, so consider a little enclosure or insulation for the unit in harsh winter conditions. With good planning, even a small festival can deploy a battery-inverter system to cut down fuel use. The result is a more efficient power network that saves money on fuel and reduces emissions significantly.
Insulating Tents and Back-of-House to Save Energy
Cold-weather festivals often rely on large tents or temporary structures – whether for main stages, food halls, beer gardens, or backstage offices and greenrooms. Insulation is the unsung hero of energy efficiency in these structures. Without insulation, heat from portable heaters or HVAC units quickly escapes into the frigid air, forcing generators or boilers to work overtime to maintain indoor comfort. By insulating tents and back-of-house (BOH) areas, festivals can dramatically reduce the fuel needed for heating.
What does insulation look like in a festival setting? It can be as simple as using double-layer marquee walls, insulated roof linings, or temporary insulation panels that clip onto tent frames. Some modern clear-span tent systems even come with high-performance thermal liners built in. For example, one premium marquee design with sealed walls and an insulated roof was shown to cut heating fuel use by about 20% compared to standard event tents (www.fewsmarquees.co.uk).
When you consider that diesel heaters can burn through several litres of fuel per hour in winter, a 20% reduction across a multi-day event translates to a huge emissions cut (and cost saving). In practice, festival crews have found that insulating staff areas (like production offices or crew rest tents) is especially effective – those spaces often have heaters running 24 hours a day to protect equipment and keep crews warm. Simply adding insulation or even wind-blocking skirting around the tent base can mean the heater runs far less frequently. One European winter festival noticed that fuel consumption for a 50 m² crew tent dropped significantly once they lined the tent and sealed up gaps – a small fix that meant one less jerrycan of fuel burned each night.
Practical approaches: Many tent suppliers offer insulation upgrades, so ask about thermo roof liners, insulated wall panels, or even hard-door entries to reduce heat loss. If custom insulated tents are out of budget, consider DIY methods: for example, using foam insulation boards or reflective foil liners on the inside of tent walls (covered by fire-retardant fabric for safety and aesthetics) in critical areas like catering or medical tents. Even carpeting and insulated flooring in tents help by blocking cold coming up from the ground. Also, seal the gaps – winter winds can whip through tiny openings. Ensure zippers, door flaps, and seams are well-secured with additional flaps or tape to prevent drafts. By keeping the warm air in and the cold air out, you not only save fuel but also keep attendees and staff much more comfortable. Insulation can even allow you to use smaller heaters or generators than you otherwise would, a double win for sustainability and budget. Plus, reducing the need for roaring heaters and generators means less noise echoing from your site on those quiet winter nights – a bonus for both the community and wildlife.
Tracking Energy Use and Fuel Savings
To truly maximise sustainability improvements, festivals must track their energy usage and fuel consumption diligently. You can’t manage (or celebrate) what you don’t measure. By monitoring power in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and fuel in litres, festival teams gain hard data on what they’ve saved through initiatives like HVO, hybrid systems, or insulation. This data-driven approach has multiple benefits: it helps in real-time operations (e.g. spotting an unexpected power drain or a heater left running), informs next year’s planning, and provides credible numbers for sustainability reporting.
How to track: There are a few key steps and tools for monitoring event power:
– Fuel logs & gen-set data: Work with your power provider to obtain detailed logs of fuel use and generator run times. Record how many litres each generator or heater uses per day and note any refuels or maintenance.
– Meter key circuits: Install temporary power meters on main distribution boards (for stages, food courts, etc.) to pinpoint where and when electricity is being used. This will identify which parts of the festival draw the most load.
– Leverage smart tech: If you use hybrid generators or advanced power systems, take advantage of their telemetry dashboards. Real-time data on load and battery levels can highlight inefficiencies (and successes) instantly.
– Include vendors in monitoring: Encourage food stalls and vendors to plug into metered outlets if possible. Not only does metering vendor usage promote fairness and efficient use, it also gives you a more complete picture of the total event power demand beyond just your stages and lights.
Several festivals have demonstrated the power of monitoring. For instance, one UK festival that redesigned its generator layout with careful metering saw nearly a 25% drop in fuel use in one year. And the touring winter event De Parade in the Netherlands managed to cut diesel use by 27% (over 15,000 litres saved) in a single year by auditing and optimizing its energy consumption (www.powerful-thinking.org.uk). These are huge wins that would not be possible without a baseline measurement and active power management.
Once you have accurate kWh and fuel-use figures, use them for reporting and continual improvement. Calculate the CO? reduction from those saved litres of diesel – there are standard formulas (and online tools) to convert fuel data into emissions. Track how much energy each initiative saved (e.g. “Using battery hybrids saved us 500 litres of fuel, avoiding roughly 1.3 tonnes of CO?”). This also helps with budgeting: less fuel burned often means money saved. By quantifying savings, you can make a strong business case for investing in things like battery units or insulation upgrades. It’s not just eco-friendly – it’s economically smart.
Celebrating Wins – Authentically, Not Greenwashing
After implementing greener practices over the winter season, it’s important to celebrate and communicate your successes. Sharing these wins helps educate stakeholders and can boost team morale – everyone from the crew to attendees appreciates knowing their festival is making sustainable progress. However, there’s a fine line to walk: organisers must avoid greenwashing, which means exaggerating or falsely portraying an environmental benefit. In other words, be proud but stay honest.
How to share your achievements: Focus on facts and data-driven stories. For example, announce that “this winter, we reduced our fuel consumption by 30%, saving 10,000 litres of diesel and 25 tonnes of CO? compared to last year,” if those are your numbers. Highlight specific improvements like switching to HVO or adding battery power, and consider publishing a short post-event sustainability report. Some events include infographics on their websites or signage on-site (e.g. a poster at the entrance reading “Our generators run on 100% renewable fuel – cleaner for the planet and our city’s air!”). When Dublin rolled out HVO generators for its Winter Lights displays, the city proudly noted a ~90% drop in CO? emissions (www.irishtimes.com), while also reducing lighting hours and using efficient LEDs. Framing achievements as steps in an ongoing journey – rather than declaring the festival “100% green” – is key to credibility.
Avoiding greenwash: A common mistake is to over-claim or use vague feel-good language. Steer clear of statements like “completely eco-friendly” or “zero impact” unless they are truly accurate (which is rare). Instead, acknowledge any ongoing impacts openly – for instance, you might admit, “We still used some diesel for backup heaters during extreme cold, which we aim to eliminate next time.” Audiences tend to be understanding when you’re transparent about challenges and trade-offs. Another tip: seek third-party validation where possible. Earning an A Greener Festival Award or an ISO 20121 certification lends independent credibility to your efforts and can preempt accusations of greenwashing. Also, engage your community in the celebration – thank the vendors who adapted to new power rules, the volunteers who helped implement recycling or energy-saving measures, and the attendees for supporting any green initiatives (like bringing their own reusables or tolerating a lower-temperature but well-insulated tent!). This highlights that sustainability is a collective effort, not just a marketing slogan.
Above all, let sincerity guide your messaging. If your festival made genuine progress, it’s okay to be enthusiastic and proud – just let the data and examples speak for themselves. For instance, one winter festival’s team posted a candid summary after their event, celebrating that they cut fuel use by one-third while openly noting where they could do better on reducing waste. This transparency was met with praise from fans and local media, who appreciated the honest dialogue. By celebrating wins authentically, you build trust and inspire everyone – from festival-goers to other festival producers – to continue pushing for a greener future, one winter at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Use HVO or renewable diesel: Switching generators and heaters from fossil diesel to HVO fuel can massively reduce CO? emissions (up to ~90% less) and improve air quality at winter festivals.
- Integrate battery hybrids: Pair generators with battery storage to optimise efficiency. Hybrid power systems can cut fuel consumption by 30–50% or more, reduce noise (especially at night), and provide reliable power with fewer generator hours.
- Insulate and winterize structures: Insulating tents, stages, and back-of-house areas keeps heat in, so you burn far less fuel to stay warm. Even simple steps like thermal liners and sealing drafts can yield ~20% fuel savings on heating.
- Measure what you save: Track energy use (kWh) and fuel consumption (litres) closely. Data is key – it reveals the impact of green initiatives (e.g. litres of diesel avoided) and provides solid numbers to show sponsors, authorities or attendees.
- Be transparent and avoid greenwash: Share sustainability successes with pride but stick to the facts. Celebrate progress with real data, acknowledge challenges, and involve the community. Authentic communication builds credibility and momentum for even greener winters ahead.
25th August 2025