Energy Efficiency and MLB: 10 Most Efficient Stadiums

As the Royals begin to embark on what is sure to be an exciting, action-packed series with the Toronto Blue Jays in hopes of regaining their American League Champions title, we are taking a look at the tremendous levels of energy expenditure at your favorite baseball stadiums across the country.  According to a blog by ElectricChoice.com, "it often takes more than 30 million kWh to power a single MLB baseball stadium for a season, or more than 3,000 average American homes use in a year."

This much electricity usage can cost near $1 million each season, sometimes even more for teams like our Royals who have continued into the postseason.  Between the thousands of lights, the massive jumbotrons, hundreds of television screens, restaurants, and so much more, (think carousel at the "Little K" or Kauffman Stadium's beautiful, colorful fountains in the outfield,) energy usage can really add up quickly at our favorite ballparks.

 photo courtesy: Flickr

The MLB has made a huge effort to increase the efficiency of its ballparks and stadiums, thanks largely to a collaboration with the National Resources Defense Council and their Sports Greening Project.  The project is an effort to "examine everything ranging from their purchasing decisions to transportation choices, energy use, and waste management policies, looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. And they're encouraging fans to do the same online and in their stadiums and arenas," (NRDC.)

Here are the current top ten most efficient MLB ballparks:

(For more information on each park, visit ElectricChoice.com.)

1. 1. Safeco Field - Seattle Mariners: first MLB team to light stadium with all LED lights, solar panels generating 40,000 kWh of power each year, lowest energy intensity of any MLB stadium

1. 1. Target Field - Minnesota Twins: second ballpark to achieve LEED certification, automated lighting system that can shut down all lighting throughout the day saving $6,000/year in utility cost

1. 1. Busch Stadium - St. Louis Cardinals: first professional sports team to partner with ENERGY STAR, occupancy sensors in rooms, improved HVAC systems and installation of efficient lighting

1. 1. Nationals Park - Washington Nationals: first professional sports stadium to install a green roof, energy efficient lighting to save the stadium $440,000 over the next 25 years

1. 1. Marlins Park - Miami Marlins: LEED Gold certified stadium, upgraded lighting, heating and cooling systems, and electrical components reduce energy cost by 22%

1. 1. AT&T Park - San Francisco Giants: first ballpark to have its own solar array, (supplies enough energy to power massive scoreboard,) point-of-use lighting system

1. 1. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox: LED lighting throughout stadium, 28 solar panels positioned across dugouts, EPA New England Environmental Merit Award in 2008

1. 1. Citi Field - New York Mets: green roof that helps to insulate building, reducing heating and cooling cost, temperature control system cut energy consumption by 50%

1. 1. Progressive Field - Cleveland Indians: first stadium to have a solar panel array of its size (42 panels generating 8000 kWh of power,) hosted experimental wind turbine

1. Miller Park - Milwaukie Brewers: updated electrical power and HVAC systems, energy efficient HD scoreboard consumes 50% less power

Source: ElectricChoice.com