Rugged and reliable, engine powered lighting towers have long been the backbone of the
events industry. One of the benefits of engine-powered systems is their lengthy pedigree,
which has led to solutions that are reliable and safe. Standard safety features include Automatic Mast Operating Safety System (AMOSS) and auto start/stop sensors, ensuring guaranteed levels of safety and efficiency. The result is technology that is tried, tested, and trusted.
How sustainable are engine powered lighting towers?
Any technology that relies upon fossil fuels will never be carbon neutral. However, there are
ways to make the systems greener, less polluting, and more efficient without abandoning fossil
fuels altogether. For instance, at Trime we offer engine powered lighting tower solutions with
built-in fuel saving and emission reduction features, and these are partnered with energy
efficient LED lights. Together, these can deliver hundreds of hours of run time while reducing
fuel costs by up to 72%. As such, with the correct design, the sustainability of engine powered
lighting towers can be considerable.
What are the barriers to using engine powered lighting towers?
The UK government is committed to phasing out diesel-powered plant, and there are several
reasons for this. Firstly, replacing diesel is necessary to achieve the net zero 2050 CO2 goal. Secondly, diesel is recognised as a major polluter under the Clean Air Act 1956 and the Environment Act 1995. Thirdly, fossil fuels are an economically unstable energy solution, leaving users at risk of sudden price hikes that can leave industries vulnerable.
As of April 1st 2022, the government is starting a national diesel phase out
This begins with the removal of entitlements to fuel rebates, which prior to April 2022 have offered businesses a generous 80% discount. The underlying plan is that red diesel will become so expensive to use that companies will have no choice but to pursue greener options.
What are the alternative energy options?
While significant funding is being channelled into static large scale solutions such as wind and wave power, these are of little use in remote machinery such as lighting towers and mobile plant. Although possible in theory, the need to be able to move the equipment results in a range of practical headaches. Therefore, the most promising sustainable option is solar power. Solar solutions benefit from being the same size as existing engine powered lighting options, being reliable, safe to operate, and being affordable.
