In 2018, the Johan Cruijff Arena turned on one of the world’s most innovative sustainability initiatives which uses discarded electric car batteries as part of an energy storage system to help power the stadium. The largest European energy storage system has now been recognized for its achievements and awarded the Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice.
The Green Apple Awards, which began in 1994, are highly regarded and backed by the likes of the Environment Agency, and are organized by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognizing, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
The energy system, which is the result of a collaboration between Nissan, Eaton, BAM and The Mobility House, and backed by the Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund (AKEF), offers 3MW of storage to provide the venue with a reliable energy supply.
With 4,200 solar panels on the roof of the Johan Cruijff Arena, the system uses 148 Nissan Leaf batteries and Eaton power conversion units to provide power to help reduce the strain on the Dutch energy grid when the Netherlands’ largest multi-purpose stadium is in use.
“The Johan Cruijff ArenA is one of the most sustainable stadiums in the world and leads the way in introducing smart innovations like this unique energy storage system,” said Henk van Raan, director of innovation at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. “We are extremely honored to be recognized for our environmental sustainability efforts.”
“The energy storage system at the Johan Cruijff ArenA is a demonstration of Eaton expertise in power management solutions,” said Fabrice Roudet, head of energy storage business unit, electrical EMEA at Eaton. “I am extremely proud of the outcome and delighted to see that this innovative project has been officially recognized.”
