Can clubbers turn dancing into renewable energy?

Virgin Radio

10 Nov 2021, 13:24

You might bust some serious moves on the dancefloor from time to time, but do you think your dancing is hot enough to generate actual renewable energy? 

A nightclub in Glasgow is trialling technology to do exactly that. As reported by BBC, the SWG3 club will use BODYHEAT tech, which it hopes will save approximately 70 tonnes of CO2 a year.

But how does it work?

Well, the idea is that it moves hot air from the club into boreholes, which then charge up as a thermal battery, which in turn can be used to heat up or cool down the venue.

Importantly, the energy can be stored until it is needed again.

The founder of Townrock Energy, David Townsend, told the BBC: “We would love for different clubs in different cities to start to compete to be the most green and see off the back of that how they can get more customers, because the clubbing generation right now are very enlightened in regards to climate change.”

He added: “It will make a big difference for clubs to be able to say they’re net zero.”

The announcement of the technology trial comes as the COP26 Glasgow climate summit heads towards its close, with countries being urged to strengthen their carbon-cutting targets by the end of next year.

The music industry is working to do its bit too, with Coldplay recently announcing an eco-friendly world tour, which will also see power generated by fans jumping up and down on “kinetic flooring”.

Chris Martin told BBC: “We have bicycles too that do the same thing. The more people move, the more they're helping. You know when the frontman says, ‘We need you to jump up and down?’ When I say that, I literally really need you to jump up and down. Because if you don't, then the lights go out.” 

If you take public transport to one of the upcoming Coldplay gigs, you'll be rewarded with discounts, plus the band are donating 10 percent of the tour’s earnings to climate change organisations and one tree will be planted for every ticket sold.

Elsewhere, Massive Attack are vocal supporters of the anti-climate change movement and have been carbon offsetting for years. The Bristol-based electronic band announced last year that they would be travelling between gigs by train wherever possible, would build more easily-transportable sets, use local providers, and encourage the use of green energy. 

The band recently called on the government to bring in a plan to make sure that the live music industry meets climate targets.