by LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Grand Prix begins in just a few weeks and as anticipation builds, Channel 13 has reported on the far-reaching impact.
From road closures to crowded airports, this is the second year for this resource-intensive event here in Las Vegas. But we learn that not all resources are used.
As for water usage for Formula One, about 30,000 gallons were used in the inaugural year to keep the track clean, but Lake Mead is not the source.
“Formula 1 Grand Prix was keen to take a unique approach to its event presence and sustainability was one of the areas we really focused on,” said Lori Nelson-Kraft, senior vice president of corporate affairs.
The water used for F1 is captured through a machine called an atmospheric water generator. It takes water vapor from an evaporative cooling “wet storm” at the MGM Grand and recycles it – a resource that would otherwise be lost to the air above.
The unit cost $400,000 to build last year and was made possible through a partnership between the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Formula 1, MGM Resorts and a local nonprofit called Waterstart.
According to the team behind it, it’s a brand new hybrid of technologies that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.
“It produced almost seven times as much as we needed,” Nelson-Kraft said.
In fact, the generator has produced over 200,000 gallons of water since it was commissioned this time last year.
Around a thousand evaporative cooling systems are used in the valley to keep casinos and other large buildings cool in our hot city.
“We have a lot of air conditioning systems, and part of that system is cooling towers that release heat into the atmosphere,” said Michael Gulich, vice president of environmental sustainability for MGM Resorts. “We’re looking forward to it.” will play a role in this. We believe that a greener company is a better company. It’s better for the planet and better for the bottom line.”
According to SNWA, commercial refrigeration is the second largest source of water use in Southern Nevada.
When asked about expanding this type of technology to other casinos, SNWA spokesman Bronson Mack told Channel 13 that the generator is a pilot project for now.
“The solutions are available to us. We just need the will to be able to implement them and that will ensure a more sustainable future.”
Watch a more in-depth conversation with Bronson Mack about the possibilities of the atmospheric water generator
Q&A with SNWA’s Bronson Mack on the possibilities of atmospheric water generators
