23 June 2026
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A phased pump upgrade at a major UK stadium shows how targeted retrofits can deliver rapid efficiency gains while improving long-term system resilience.
Addressing ageing infrastructure in commercial venues
On matchday, large stadiums operate at full capacity – with tens of thousands of spectators, peak demand on cooling, water and ventilation systems, and little margin for error. Yet within hours, the same venue can return to a far lower level of activity, with building services required to scale back just as quickly.
Managing that shift is a challenge. Behind the scenes, HVAC and water systems must respond continuously to changing conditions, balancing performance, energy use, and reliability. As energy costs rise and sustainability targets tighten, the ability to operate flexibly is becoming as important as installed capacity.
A recent pump system upgrade at a major UK stadium, delivered by Grundfos, demonstrates how targeted intervention in core infrastructure can deliver measurable improvements in both energy performance and operational resilience.
From fixed to flexible operation
Like many large venues, the site was operating with ageing fixed-speed pump systems. While dependable, these systems were no longer suited to a modern, high use environment, where load profiles vary significantly throughout the day and across the season.
Following a site visit and a detailed system review, an upgrade plan was developed to meet the demands of the site. Three large, fixed-speed units were replaced with high-efficiency Grundfos TP inline models, supported by variable speed drives to enable demand-led operation.
The transition to variable-speed pumping represents a fundamental shift in system control. In fixed-speed systems, pumps operate at constant output regardless of demand, resulting in unnecessary energy use during periods of partial load. By contrast, variable-speed systems adjust performance dynamically, ensuring that output more closely reflects real-time system requirements. For a stadium environment, this adaptability is critical.
Glynn Williams, Senior Area Sales Director for UK & Ireland at Grundfos, said: “Large venues rarely operate at a steady state, and fixed systems often struggle to respond efficiently to those fluctuations.
“Demand-led operation allows system performance to track much more closely with actual load conditions, responding in real time and improving both efficiency and overall performance”.
Measurable results
The impact of the upgrade has been significant. Annual energy savings exceed 422,000 kWh, alongside a reduction of more than 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The project also achieved a payback period of just over one year. Following the performance of the initial phase, Grundfos will replace all remaining pumps throughout the stadium.
“This reflects a wider opportunity across the UK, where many legacy systems operate without modulation or effective control.
“These results demonstrate that even relatively contained interventions within ageing buildings can deliver fast and measurable returns,” adds Glynn.
Beyond energy savings, reliability is a key consideration. Pump systems underpin essential services including heating, cooling and water management, all of which must perform consistently under high-demand conditions.
In this case, the upgraded system improves both efficiency and resilience. By responding dynamically to load changes, it reduces mechanical strain while maintaining stable performance across the system.
A wider trend in retrofit
Although delivered within a high-profile sporting venue, the challenges addressed are far from unique. Across the UK, building owners are facing increasing pressure from ageing infrastructure, rising energy costs and stricter environmental targets.
Retrofit solutions are therefore becoming an increasingly practical route to performance improvement. Large venues provide a clear example due to their highly variable loads, but the same principles apply across commercial offices, leisure facilities, and public buildings. Systems that can respond dynamically to demand are better positioned to deliver both efficiency and long-term reliability.
Looking ahead
A key takeaway from this project is the value of detailed system analysis. By identifying specific inefficiencies and targeting them directly, significant improvements can be achieved without large-scale intervention.
Equally important is the role of intelligent control. The combination of high-efficiency pumps and variables peed drives enables a more responsive and adaptable system, supporting both performance and asset longevity.
With major events placing increasing emphasis on sustainability and operational efficiency, the performance of building services infrastructure will remain firmly in focus. As this project illustrates, improving performance does not always require complex solutions – just the right combination of system insight, control strategy and targeted investment.
