The England Touch Association set a new standard for large sporting events, thanks to a unique partnership with GeoPura which reduced the carbon dioxide emissions of the 2024 Touch World Cup.
An event of the scale of the 2024 Touch World Cup – 23 fields spread across two venues for seven days – would normally require the use of diesel generators to supplement mains electricity supply.
Dates
11th July – 22nd July 2024
Location
Nottingham, England
Equipment
HPU & EV charging infrastructure
Download
Case Study
Key Metrics
CO2
4,760 kg
Saved
NOX
46.5 kg
Saved
PM
1.8 kg
Saved
Improvements to make
Challenges
- Short-term deployment for an event
- Sustainable alternative to diesel generators needed
- Off-grid power supply needed for large scale sporting fixtures
How GeoPura helped
Solutions
- Zero Emission Energy: Unlike diesel generators, HPUs emit no pollutants
- Quiet Operations: Hydrogen generators are quieter than diesel equivalents.
- Reliable Power: Uninterruptible electricity, powering critical areas of the event
About the Project
In July 2024, the Touch Rugby World Cup in Nottingham became a landmark event for sustainable sports, thanks to GeoPura’s green hydrogen technology. By replacing diesel generators with hydrogen-powered alternatives, the tournament successfully reduced its carbon emissions by 6.6 tonnes.
GeoPura calculates that the carbon dioxide reduction for the Touch World Cup is the equivalent of driving an average car around the world*, and with the hydrogen itself being produced in the Midlands, there will be a minimal carbon footprint in the transportation to the University of Nottingham, too.
Throughout the tournament, which ran from July 15 to 21, these generators provided clean energy across 23 fields at two venues, demonstrating the viability of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative. The success of this initiative was confirmed in post-event reports on July 24, showing both record-breaking athletic achievements and significant environmental impact. By showcasing the practical application of green hydrogen, GeoPura and the Touch Rugby World Cup set a new benchmark for sustainability in major sporting events.
This innovation has been made possible by event partners, HyDEX, Energy Research Accelerator, Mapei, and Vermeer, who are all committed to using research and innovation to accelerate the UK on the road to net zero energy production.
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Watch the video case study
GeoPura made history by fueling the world’s first hydrogen-powered Touch World Cup 2024! Our HPUs replaced traditional generators, delivering clean energy with zero emissions.
Hydrogen Power Unit (HPU) Technology
The original hydrogen-powered generator, fueled by green hydrogen. Proven, robust, and reliable, it delivers quiet, zero-emission power for a wide range of applications.
The Applications
Off-Grid Power
…Using green hydrogen technology is an exciting
opportunity to showcase what is possible at a
major sporting event…
“In trying to make this the greenest and most sustainable Touch World Cup ever, we have looked at every aspect of hosting such a large event. We needed a solution that meets our sustainability goals as well as being a dependable power source to help the tournament run smoothly.
Using green hydrogen technology is an exciting opportunity to showcase what is possible at a major sporting event which is welcoming thousands of participants from across the globe, and we hope that we can be an exemplar for the sports sector within Sport England’s Every Move strategy.
The University of Nottingham has also been an important partner for our efforts, delivering an enhanced waste management plan and facilitating additional provision from Lime E-Bikes across campus and competition venues.
Sustainability is more than just environmental impact, and we are delighted to be focusing on social impact, too, such as with SOS Kit Aid, exploring food re-use options with local charities, and promoting fundraising for Oxfam’s Tackling Climate Change campaign.”
Chris Simon
Touch World Cup Event
Director and England Touch Association
Chief Executive
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