Theme Parks and Renewable Energy

amnesiac · #1 11-27-2007, 08:33 PM

I recently completed a project in one of my classes that got me thinking about amusement parks and renewable energy. Parks use a considerable amount of power. I haven't ever seen or heard any actual numbers but I would guess that the electric bill is a large portion of their expenses. I was thinking, what if parks could scale down their power consumption and help the environment.

My idea would be to build over top the huge parking lot spaces for theme parks with solar panels. The initial cost would be huge but think of the benefits: the park produces it's own power during the day, not needing to use power from other polluting power plants. Maybe they would generate enough electricity to put power back into the grid during the day and actually make money off of it. There is very little maintenance for solar panels and they last over 25 years with less than a 2% decrease in efficiency. Plus, they would keep the parking lot shaded from the sun on those hot summer days so guests don't have to return to a burning hot car, increasing guest satisfaction.

This was just an idea I was thinking. I could see a park in Florida or California pulling this over, especially a Disney park. Instead of spending the millions of money on an E-ticket attraction one year, use the money for solar panels. Upfront it may cost more but will easily pay for itself over time, plus the maintenance cost would be less than that of an attraction and you wouldn't need staff to run it, and by building on top of a parking lot you save space.

I'm not an expect on solar or power so this may not be as feasible as I make it sound. What are your thoughts?

**Ryan F** · #2 11-27-2007, 08:40 PM

A park would need a HUGE amount of solar panels to run their electricity. Think of rides that use LIMs, LSMs, or other kinds of launches; those require huge amounts of energy.

A park would be better off building their own Nuclear Plant.

tntornadox · #3 11-27-2007, 08:56 PM

Dollywood has solar panels on the roofs of a couple of their parking lot tram waiting areas.. there are information boards up telling you all about them and how much energy they generate.

I love DW · #4 11-28-2007, 06:10 PM

Instead of parks placing solar panels over there entire parking lot it may be more visible to place them on top of each building out of sight of guest. Other steps could be taken by theme/amusement parks that you could also do in your house. Such as using energy saving light bulbs, not running air conditioners or heaters as much at night, driving company vehicles less, or if they have a Christmas festival they could use LED lights instead of traditional Christmas lights which can save both money, and cost due to them lasting a lot longer, plus other 'green' ideas that can also be used in your own house.

**Michael C** · #5 11-29-2007, 02:16 PM

This has actually been done before in small amounts. Like mentioned above Hollywood. Disney has Solar Panels on top of the universe of Energy attraction the attraction s operated off those solar panels. The energy not used is filtered into the 2 neighboring attractions. I can’t remember which pier park it is but one operates their Ferris wheel and The LED lights on solar power. Depending on theme and location Wind or hydro electric power is also a feasible option.

coasterdude28 · #6 11-29-2007, 03:55 PM

I too have thought of alternative energy sources that parks could use. Another option is to utilize their water attractions for water powered energy. I know that GAdv has a working water wheel infront of their Log Flume. It would be interesting to see if they could actually set it up to generate power.

cooliocody12 · #7 11-29-2007, 04:10 PM

I think it'd be smart to put wind mills at the top of coasters lift hills to power their chain lifts etc.

GaleRazorwind · #8 11-29-2007, 04:20 PM

lol the wind at the top of TTD/KK/MF is pretty fierce. I don't know if it could power a lift hill or not, though.

cooliocody12 · #9 11-29-2007, 04:44 PM

Wind power can generate much much more than solar energy, if it's a large system. I' sure with the winds on top of TTD and KK could easily power a lift hill.

CrymeLord · #10 11-29-2007, 05:26 PM

There is a cost versus return that all companies must balance. The cost of erecting solar panels over the parking lots determines how long those panels will have to operate before they get a return on that investment.

Let's face it. The idealism of being "Greener" takes a back seat to the bottom line.

Some people might buy a hybrid car because they consider it the right thing to do regardless of cost. Others determine how much more the car costs compared to what they would otherwise buy and compute the difference in gas mileage to figure out how long it will take them to "break even" on their investment.

I would be curious to know if they could milk some energy off of a coaster on its way down the first hill? What about returned energy from braking a coaster.

Would anyone care if their favorite coaster went a mile or two per hour slower if the energy milked from it went into powering the ride? I think more than a few people prize their experience over conserved energy.

amnesiac · #11 11-29-2007, 06:03 PM

That's a really good idea I never thought of, like some of the electric cars that put power back into the battery when braking, try and apply those principles to coasters and amusement rides. Think of all that energy that is wasted on rides like Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, all the power required to launch the rides over 400 foot tall hills only to be braked right away. What a waste.

bigbill245 · #12 11-29-2007, 07:11 PM

Maybe a good way for an amusment park to save on enegery is maybe to recycle waste in a remote part of the park. maybe with a little incenarator that is connected to mini steam generator to create electrical power. also the exahaust of the incenarator could be used as a means to heat water for kitchens and restrooms in side the park. i could see this being the next step for amusment parks to go towards conservation of enegry.