Boomtown festival in Hampshire has become the first UK festival to power a main stage entirely with green hydrogen. The HydroXL stage, which hosts up to 20,000 attendees, utilizes hydrogen fuel cells and self-charging Hydrogen Power Unit (HPU) batteries to generate electricity. According to festival organizers, the process produces only water and heat as by-products, eliminating carbon emissions, fumes, and the noise associated with traditional diesel generators.
Scaling Sustainable Energy at Boomtown
The implementation of the HydroXL stage marks a significant expansion of the festival’s green energy efforts. Operations manager Ruby Handy stated that the festival first piloted hydrogen technology on a smaller scale last year. After confirming the system’s viability, organizers doubled their efforts to scale the technology for a flagship stage location.
According to Boomtown co-founder and CVO Luke Mitchell, the decision to invest in this technology followed personal observations of the smaller pilot unit. Mitchell noted that where diesel generators typically create significant noise, the hydrogen units operated in silence, producing only pure water vapour. The festival partnered with GeoPura to source the green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy.
Did you know?
The water produced as a by-product by the hydrogen fuel cells is so pure that it is technically drinkable, according to festival co-founder Luke Mitchell.
Managing Environmental Challenges and Safety
While the festival has prioritized energy innovation, it has also faced operational challenges due to local weather conditions. A heat warning and ongoing drought in the South Downs have created significant dust issues, given the region’s high concentration of limestone and chalk.
To address these concerns, organizers have implemented specific safety measures for the 77,000 attendees. Ruby Handy confirmed that the festival has increased fire safety provisions and issued guidance for visitors to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and utilize face coverings. Additionally, the festival has enforced a strict ban on camping stoves and barbecues to mitigate fire risks.
Long-Term Sustainability Initiatives
Boomtown’s move toward hydrogen power fits into a wider strategy to lower the event’s environmental impact. Organizers report that they have reduced the festival’s total carbon footprint by 98% over the past seven years.
Beyond large-scale energy shifts, the festival encourages attendee participation in sustainability through projects like The Reparium, where visitors can repair broken items such as instruments or trolleys. Another initiative, led by Callum Clancy, allows festivalgoers to learn how to solder their own solar panels from scratch, with the goal of enabling them to charge their mobile devices on-site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the hydrogen-powered stage work?
The HydroXL stage uses hydrogen fuel cells and self-charging HPU batteries to create electricity. This process emits only heat and water, replacing the need for traditional, emission-heavy diesel generators.
Is the hydrogen technology used at Boomtown available for other events?
Festival organizers and partners like GeoPura have expressed hope that the success of HydroXL will encourage other industry players to invest in green hydrogen, making the technology more accessible across the wider festival circuit.
What precautions are in place for the dust and heat?
Boomtown has advised festivalgoers to bring face coverings, use sunscreen, and maintain hydration. The festival has also banned all camping stoves and barbecues to prevent fire hazards during the current dry weather conditions.
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