Minnesota United is proud to partner with Xcel Energy to power the September 20 match against the Chicago Fire entirely on renewable energy. What does that mean, exactly? All of the energy needs for that night’s match will be provided by renewable sources, as Allianz Field takes another step toward becoming as sustainable as possible in its operations.

To further answer that question, let’s take a look at renewable energy itself, why it matters, and why we’re taking this step in the first place. Traditional energy sources like coal, petroleum, natural gas, and various biomasses like wood and agricultural residue have been used to power much of the world for years. These energy-dense materials are efficient and relatively abundant, two attributes that have made them both affordable and preferable for quite some time. That convenience comes at a different cost, though.

To extract energy from these sources, we burn them. In doing so, we release what are called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, changing the chemical makeup of the world around us in ways that could very well have lasting impacts on life on Earth. Without getting too far into the weeds, the mitigation of these greenhouse gases is in our best interests, and that’s where renewable energy sources come in.

You’ve probably heard about these sources before: solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. By harnessing various natural energy resources of our world, it has become possible to generate electricity without combustion, eliminating greenhouse gas production and pointing toward a carbon-free energy future.

This world doesn’t exist just yet, however, but Xcel Energy’s customers in the region already get energy that’s more than 40% renewable and about 65% carbon-free with the help of nuclear energy. As infrastructure continues to be built, investment in this cleaner future remains a commitment of Minnesota United. Allianz Field General Manager Justin Borrell expressed his excitement for the club’s partnership with Xcel Energy on this journey to a cleaner tomorrow.

"Allianz Field continues to work at finding ways to limit our environmental footprint and commit to sustainable practices,” Borrell said. “We’re proud to work with Xcel Energy as we share a strong commitment to sustainability. Xcel Energy continues to be a national clean energy leader and we are happy to work together on creative solutions like running our entire match on renewable energy."

During the match on September 20, the stadium will be operating on Xcel Energy’s Renewable Connect Flex Program. This program offers all Xcel Energy customers the opportunity to use renewable energy, with a customizable option to fit your budget, goals, and needs. Check out Xcel Energy’s Sustainability Guide to learn more about the work they’re doing in the renewable energy space.

“As the demand for reliable, clean and affordable energy grows, we’re committed to a sustainable energy future that benefits the communities where we live, work and play,” said Jeff Lyng, Vice President of External Affairs and Policy and Chief Sustainability Officer for Xcel Energy. “Powering Minnesota United’s entire match with 100% renewable energy is the result of close collaboration and our drive to support our customers’ environmental and sustainability goals.”