ABB and NASCAR last weekend introduced ABB NASCAR Grid Control, a new fan experience designed to provide visibility into race operations and event energy management during NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril, June 19-21.
Located in the general admission fan zone, the 20-foot glass-enclosed exhibit featured live video feeds and data dashboards that provided fans with a view of race operations and energy performance during the event.
The installation included a simulcast of information available to NASCAR engineers and officials, including telemetry data, analytics and competition metrics used to support race operations. While NASCAR personnel were available to engage with fans at the exhibit, the official race monitoring, scoring and officiating remained the responsibility of NASCAR Race Control.
The exhibit also displayed real-time energy and carbon performance data generated through ABB's energy management and monitoring technologies. According to NASCAR, the data supports the organization's NASCAR IMPACT initiative, which has established a goal of achieving net-zero operating emissions by 2035.
Among the metrics displayed were total carbon savings, energy performance across different event zones and reductions in diesel generator runtime through the use of battery energy storage systems.
Temporary microgrid network powers event
The NASCAR San Diego Weekend event was held at Naval Base Coronado and operated without reliance on the local utility grid. Instead, NASCAR has deployed a temporary energy supply system consisting of interconnected microgrids designed to support race activities, including pit road operations, fan experiences and event logistics.
The system combined battery energy storage systems (BESS) with diesel generators in a hybrid configuration. Under the setup, battery storage serves as the primary energy source, while generators operate periodically to recharge batteries rather than running continuously.
Suburban Propane supplied renewable propane for event concessions and for generators used to power electric vehicle charging stations available to attendees.
ABB technologies deployed at the site monitor electricity and fuel consumption and provide operational data in real time. The system includes energy management software, wireless monitoring sensors, temporary power distribution equipment and transformer monitoring technologies. Event organizers also used zone-specific monitoring to track energy consumption in areas such as fan zones, grandstands and hospitality facilities.
Electrification partnership
The energy management deployment is part of the ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership, launched in 2024 with the introduction of the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype.
The partnership focuses on exploring electrification opportunities in motorsports, including race vehicles, event infrastructure and energy technologies. Attendees at NASCAR San Diego Weekend can also view the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype, which is displayed adjacent to the ABB NASCAR Grid Control exhibit in the fan zone.
