Lights, Camera, Sustainability!
Ah, Hollywood – the glitz, the glam, the gargantuan carbon footprint. As the mecca of entertainment, this city has long been synonymous with excess. From the sprawling sound stages to the endless parade of private jets, Tinseltown’s environmental impact has been historically…well, less than stellar.
But hold the presses, my friends, because a green revolution is sweeping through the City of Angels. And at the heart of this eco-awakening lies a shockingly innovative approach to power – one that’s poised to transform the industry from the circuits up.
Greening the Glamour
Let’s rewind for a moment. In the not-so-distant past, Hollywood’s environmental efforts could be charitably described as “scattered.” Sure, there were a few high-profile initiatives – the occasional solar panel installation, the hybrid car photo ops. But by and large, the industry’s approach to sustainability felt more like an afterthought than a core priority.
Enter the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA) – the governing body responsible for the Hollywood Burbank Airport, a.k.a. BUR. This forward-thinking organization has made sustainability the beating heart of its mission, and the results have been nothing short of electrifying.
As BUR’s website proudly proclaims, the airport has long been a trailblazer in the realm of eco-friendly innovation. From the installation of electric charging stations at all 14 aircraft gates to the construction of the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified airplane hangar, this hub of Hollywood travel is leading the charge towards a greener future.
Powering the Production Powerhouses
But it’s not just the airport that’s embracing electrical innovations. Across the entertainment capital, major players are making bold moves to reduce their carbon footprint and pave the way for a more sustainable industry.
Take Comcast, for example – the media and technology giant that owns NBCUniversal and Sky. In its recent 2023 Green Bond Report, Comcast proudly showcased its allocation of $421 million towards key investment categories like green building construction and electric vehicle deployment at its NBCUniversal and Sky locations.
These investments are already paying dividends, with Comcast reporting a 38% reduction in its market-based enterprise-wide Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 2019 to 2022. As Sara Cronenwett, Comcast’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Environmental Sustainability, eloquently put it, “This allocation focused on green building construction and electric vehicle deployment at key NBCUniversal and Sky locations that will support more sustainable operations and productions from Hollywood to West London.”
Lights, Camera, Efficiency!
But the electrical innovations powering Hollywood’s green revolution don’t stop there. Hangar 25 at the Hollywood Burbank Airport is a shining example of what’s possible when you combine eco-friendly design with cutting-edge technology.
This LEED Platinum-certified hangar is the world’s first solar-powered airplane maintenance facility, generating a whopping 225 kW of photovoltaic energy – enough to power 110% of the hangar’s energy needs. And the sustainable features don’t end there. From the polished concrete floors that reflect natural light to the low-water plumbing fixtures, Hangar 25 is a veritable oasis of environmental responsibility.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of this hangar is its commitment to electrification. All of the hangar’s equipment, from tow tractors to ground power units, is electrically powered, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and dramatically improving air quality. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when you marry innovation with a genuine passion for sustainability.
Plugging in the Future
And the electrical innovations don’t stop there. The Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC) at the Hollywood Burbank Airport is another shining example of how the industry is embracing greener solutions.
This state-of-the-art facility is a true hub of sustainable transportation, featuring a consolidated rental car facility, direct rail connection, and ground-level bus station. But the real showstopper is the 2.2 MW photovoltaic system that’s been integrated into the RITC’s roof structure, helping the facility achieve its coveted LEED Gold certification.
As Burbank Water and Power (BWP) continues to implement and operate these solar panels, the RITC will be able to generate a staggering amount of clean, renewable energy – enough to power an estimated 50 homes. It’s a remarkable feat of engineering that’s poised to have a tangible impact on the region’s energy landscape.
Driving Towards a Greener Future
But the electrical innovations powering Hollywood’s green revolution don’t stop there. The Clean Fleet Program at the Hollywood Burbank Airport is another shining example of how the industry is embracing eco-friendly transportation solutions.
Under this policy, the airport is committed to transitioning its light-duty vehicle fleet to 100% electric by 2031, with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. And it’s not just the airport’s own vehicles that are getting the electric treatment – the Clean Construction Program is also ensuring that all contractors working on capital improvement projects use the cleanest construction equipment on the market, including a minimum of 90% Tier 4 Final and 10% Tier 4 Interim vehicles by 2023.
These initiatives are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Hollywood’s electrical evolution. Across the industry, production companies, studios, and even individual celebrities are embracing sustainable solutions, from solar-powered sound stages to electric vehicle charging stations in their private garages.
Powering the Green Carpet
So, what does the future hold for electrical innovations in Hollywood? If the past few years are any indication, the sky’s the limit. As the entertainment capital continues to set its sights on a more sustainable future, the role of electricity is only going to become more crucial.
From the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure to the integration of renewable energy into production facilities, the industry is poised to lead the charge towards a greener tomorrow. And with trailblazers like the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and Comcast leading the way, there’s no doubt that Hollywood’s electrical revolution is only just beginning.
So, the next time you catch a glimpse of your favorite star strutting down the green carpet, just remember – the true stars of the show might just be the innovative electrical solutions powering their sustainable dreams. The future of Hollywood is electric, and it’s never looked brighter.
