Powering, heating and cooling an
outdoor event
Outdoor events are a defining feature of the British summer:
from those on a grand scale, like Glastonbury, down to local fairs,
festivals and sporting galas. But putting on any outdoor event
brings with it important logistical considerations: including the
provision of power, heating and cooling. All of these need advance
planning and on-site coordination. Using a rental company that is
expert in all these areas is crucial. David Taylor, events and
electrical services manager at Aggreko, world leaders in the rental
of power and temperature control, explains what to look for when
choosing a temporary equipment supplier.
When hosting an event indoors, it is easy to take for granted
that power is readily available and the heating and cooling can be
turned on at the touch of a button. For outdoor events this is
rarely the case: whatever the location, whether in the middle of a
field or in a busy town centre, using mains power may not be an
option. To understand how to deal with that situation, events
managers need to consider the options available for renting
temporary power and temperature control equipment.
As with the event itself, when it comes to power, heating and
cooling, the planning is as important as the execution. For large
events such as Glastonbury or The British Open Golf Championships,
the planning for power and climate control might take place 12
months before the event, with three months of activity to put the
plans in place. Even for smaller events, planning should take place
well in advance.
While there are companies that specialise in power generation,
and those that can supply heaters and chillers, it is important to
choose a company that can deal with all three: this ensures minimum
set-up time, smooth running, and reduces the risk of anything going
wrong.
Before choosing a generator, event organisers must know the
scale of heating and cooling equipment they need - and with the
unpredictability of UK summer weather, they should allow for all
eventualities. Heating a marquee, for example, requires more than
simply plugging in a heater and blowing hot air: the size of the
marquee needs to be factored in, as does the comfort of the guests.
The output of the heater needs to take into account the ambient
temperature outside and the required temperature inside. The same
applies to cooling: the size of the chiller needs to be carefully
calculated by an experienced engineer. Only then can you choose
your generator.
A generator should look good. It is not something people tend to
consider, but when money has been spent on making a venue look
right, the last thing guests should be confronted with is
unattractive, scruffy-looking equipment. At Aggreko, generators
have been developed specifically for special events. They come in
black or white: the black option is ideal for use behind a stage;
the white version is best suited for use with marquees.
An events generator needs to be as quiet as possible. There are
units available that have an insulated canopy to reduce the sound
from the generator's engine. Aggreko has a large fleet of
super-silenced GHP2 generators that are designed to be used in
locations where engine noise could pose a problem. These generators
have a sound output of 65dB at a distance of one metre rather than
the standard 85dB.
Finally, it is important that generators are reliable. As with a
car engine, it is important that a generator is serviced and
maintained throughout its life. Sourcing equipment from a reliable
company with a large fleet and a team of experienced engineers will
mean that the equipment supplied is of a high standard and that
there is back-up equipment to keep the event running, should the
need arise.
The generators supplied by Aggreko are manufactured in-house.
They are of the highest quality, stringently tested and regularly
maintained to keep them in the best condition. The extensive range
of temporary power and temperature control equipment Aggreko offers
means a solution can be found for any event, however big or small,
which takes account of issues such as noise, safety and
aesthetics.
For all these reasons, and for the sake of efficiency and
simplicity, it is preferable to use a single, expert supplier.