Renewables for Artists Team
Foreground Solar Installation at Ripple by Josh Vermette
Background RAT Solar Installation at The Empyrean Temple by Laurence Renzo Verbeck, Sylvia Adrienne Lisse and the Temple Crew
Mission
The Renewables for Artists Team (RAT) educates and mentors Black Rock City artists to switch from generators to renewable energy powered art projects.
We enable artists to address the Burning Man Project's 2030 Environmental Sustainability Initiatives.
RAT's structure is that of do-ocracy. OSGeo Wiki defines it as “an organizational structure in which individuals choose roles and tasks for themselves and execute them. Responsibilities attach to people who do the work, rather than elected or selected officials." That said, the team has a leadership structure.
Photograph by Jamen Percy
Introduction
Doug Hanson "Radio" at Spacecats Final Landing
The Problem
Hundreds of electric generators that burn gasoline and diesel fuels are used each year at Burning Man. While they have provided the electricity needed to power Black Rock City the generators produce noise, odor, air pollution and greenhouse gases. Also, generator operations can cause hazardous liquid spills on to the playa that require expensive cleanup. And, the generators are a health and safety hazard because they emit harmful air pollutants including carbon monoxide that can cause adverse health effects and even death*.
Generators in use at Burning Man 2022
The Solution
The Renewables for Artists Team (RAT) was formed to assist artists to move away from having to use generators to power their art installations and helps artists who have no or little knowledge about renewable power systems that are suitable for use at Black Rock City.
“Ripple”
by Josh Vermette
“Friendship Cube”
by Lindsey Fielding
Strategy - Who and What
The RAT is comprised of individuals who are concerned about the noise and air pollution the electric generators produce at Black Rock City. Their collective vision is a hands-on approach to moving Black Rock City towards using renewable energy sources as much as possible that will have a real and quantifiable impact on reducing noise, odor, harmful air pollution and greenhouse gases.
Tactics - How
The RAT's Technical Advisors provide hands-on education and mentoring to artists who want to transition from powering their art installations with generators to renewable power systems. The RAT assists artists with:
Completing an installation electrical load analysis or electrical inventory
Designing the system
Providing advice about the acquisition of system components
Troubleshooting the systems on the playa
Troubleshooting - “Giganty’s Boundless Energy Gadget”
Building - at the "Empyrean Temple”
Troubleshooting - “Spacecats Final Landing”
RAT Partners
Burners Without Boarders
BWB promotes activities around the globe that support a community's inherent capacity to thrive by encouraging innovative approaches to disaster relief and grassroots initiatives that make a positive impact.
Green Theme Camp Community
How might theme camps come together to share best practices, form collective values, and design the future role of theme camps to make Black Rock City a sustainable (and regenerative) home?
BLAST (Burner Leadership Achieving Sustainable Theme Camps)
BLAST is a green camp rating system that offers a framework for energy and resource efficient, environmentally conscientious, and regenerative theme camps. We provide an incentive to “Green Your Burn,” awarding camps and their members for successful sustainability efforts.
Burning Man Hive
Burning Man Hive is a space for the Burning Man community and the Burner-curious to share their skills and knowledge, to learn from one another, and to support each other’s work in the world.
Coming in May 2023
Solar Power 101 - In Person Course - Gerlach, Nevada
Date and Time and Links To Be Announced
See Solar Power 101 on the Education Page for Details
Join the RAT!
We welcome everyone who is interested in transitioning from generators to renewable power at Black Rock City to join the RAT.
We hold weekly Zoom calls where we discuss RAT operational business followed by an general session. In many general sessions we provide and record skills sharpening mentoring presentations.
RAT Operational Meeting 10:30-11:15 am Pacific Time
General Session 11:15-12:00 am Pacific Time
*Generator air pollutants harm human health and contain greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
Burning gasoline and diesel fuel creates harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide that can cause serious injury and death to Black Rock City participants, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, and formaldehyde - all direct human health hazards.
In addition, generators emit carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas that contributes to global warning. Global warming has caused the worldwide and regional climates to change resulting in potential adverse affects to the environment, human health and safety.