Limburg students organise energy-neutral mini fest at Pukkelpop
A new stage utilising only renewable resources to provide electricity to the stage, catering and other installations made its debut at Pukkelpop this year, arranged by students from the University College Leuven-Limburg
Solar power
In a corner of the Pukkelpop site, a line-up of young Belgian talent will perform as part of Baraque Futur, which uses sustainable electricity sources. Most of the electricity will be delivered through 150 solar panels. The power produced by the panels will be distributed through a smart grid to the lighting and the sound installations of the stage, catering installations, video screens and info stands.
Other renewable energy sources are windmills and a special floor on which the crowd itself produces power by dancing. Pukkelpop organiser Chokri Mahassine contacted UCLL earlier this year to brainstorm sustainability initiatives. More than 300 UCLL students were involved in the entire process, from ideas to engineering.
“We are very proud of this collaboration with UCLL,” said Mahassine. “Their team is youthful, innovative and dynamic and thus matches our profile perfectly.” He further emphasised that Pukkelpop wants to be a leader in sustainability. Baraque Futur festivals are planned for at least the next two editions of Pukkelpop.
Photo: Energy Floors is providing an energy-producing dance floor to Pukkelpop
