U.S. Bank Stadium: America’s newest sports and entertainment venue

Natural gas helps to maximize the efficiency of the stadium’s operations for a better bottom line.

By Gas Technology May 26, 2018

U.S. Bank Stadium, touted as the largest public works project in Minnesota history, is more than just a location. It is an epicenter of excitement, opportunity, and Minnesota pride. Football is an important part of Minnesota’s heritage and the relationship between the Vikings and the citizens of Minnesota runs deep. But the stadium is not just the home of the Minnesota Vikings; it’s a facility that will host major national and international events that create economical, fiscal, and social benefits to the region. At nearly twice the size of the old Metrodome, this facility has seven levels, two concourses, and seating for more than 66,000 people. 

Stadium food is modern, memorable, and Minnesota

The drinking and dining opportunities cater to the desires of fans and foodies hunting for fresh flavors to traditionalists seeking familiar game-day fare. In creating the menu, the stadium’s foodservice concessionaire worked with the theme "Modern, Memorable, and Minnesota" to create a mix of food from vendors big and small, incorporating many local and well-known brands that have long standing traditions to the Twin City market. With more than 66,000 seats, the venue serves as center stage for prominent national and international programming including sporting events, concerts, family shows, conventions, general sessions, trade/consumer shows, weddings, and other large special events. And with the many pieces of high-efficiency gas cooking technologies employed throughout the facility, the culinary team consistently produces high quality products.

Natural gas has proven to maximize the value and efficiency of the overall energy needs for the stadium and its massive food service operation. Factoring in the CenterPoint Energy food service rebates, which helps reduce the installed cost of natural gas equipment makes gas equipment an easy choice. Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), owner and operator of U.S. Bank Stadium, worked closely with CenterPoint’s Food Service Energy Efficiency Expert Ann Lovcik in monitoring available gas equipment incentives, which amounted to more than $37,000 for this project. Many gas utilities offer similar programs that can significantly reduce the cost of installing natural gas equipment. 

Multi-kitchen facility incorporates these gas cooking technologies:

  • 26 – Vulcan TR45 fryers
  • 4 – Vulcan convection ovens
  • 4 – Vulcan VTEC charbroilers
  • 15 – AccuTemp steam griddles
  • 6 – Blodgett Convection ovens
  • 5 – Rotisol infrared rotisseries
  • 2 – Cleveland steam kettles
  • 4 – Alto Shaam Single Combi ovens
  • 4 – Alto Shaam double Combi ovens.

Total combined cooking equipment load more than 7,000,000 BTU/hour.

Gas fryer savings

  • 1 fryer used 5 hours/day
  • Gas = $3.60
  • Electric = $11.00
  • Comparison based on natural gas cost of $.60/CCF and electricity at $.10/kwh.

MORE INFO

CenterPoint Energy 

Energy Solutions Center Inc.

U.S. Bank Stadium 

This article originally appeared in the Gas Technology Spring 2018 issue.