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Gemma Hadley
1 minute read time.

The broadcasting industry is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation. As technology evolves and audience expectations shift, engineers are being asked to solve problems that go far beyond signal strength and studio acoustics. Two themes rising to the top of the agenda? Sustainability and operational safety.

At this year’s Radio TechCon, one standout session explores a BBC-led initiative to transition transmission stations in Ghana to solar power. It’s a bold move toward greener broadcasting, and it raises an important question: how can we adapt renewable energy solutions to work reliably in less predictable climates like the UK?

For engineers, this isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic one. Power redundancy, battery storage, and weatherproofing all come into play. And as more broadcasters look to reduce their carbon footprint, the demand for scalable, sustainable infrastructure is only going to grow.

Another compelling theme is safety in high-pressure environments, inspired by lessons from aviation. A session led by pilot James Taylor will explore how crew resource management - a system used in cockpits to manage stress, communication, and decision-making - can be applied to radio studios.

It’s a timely conversation. As studios become more complex and fast-paced, especially during live broadcasts or breaking news, the margin for error shrinks. Engineers are increasingly responsible not just for the tech, but for creating environments where presenters and producers can operate safely and effectively under pressure.

These challenges - sustainability and safety - may seem worlds apart, but they share a common thread: they require engineers to think holistically. It’s no longer enough to be a technical expert. Today’s broadcast engineer must be a systems thinker, a collaborator, and often, a quiet innovator.

So tell us, how is your team approaching sustainability or safety in your broadcast workflows?
Are you experimenting with solar? Reworking studio protocols? Or tackling something entirely different?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going - and build a smarter, safer, and greener future for radio.

At Radio TechCon, these are the kinds of conversations that come to life and we're delighted to announce that IET members are entitled to a £15 discount on Radio TechCon tickets. 

To receive the discount code, please email Gemma Hadley ghadley@theiet.org.

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  • I've been surprised at how much energy can be saved by replacing out-of-date equipment with a modern equivalent. At one broadcaster, I was able to replace three bays of kit consuming several kilowatts with a 3U high box taking about a hundred watts. As the broadcaster had several sets of the equipment, the saving was very significant. Remember the power needed to cool the equipment is greater than the power it consumes directly, too. Working for another client, a broadcaster wanted to measure the power consumed by a modern piece of equipment, to help justify the investment. The modern kit consumes so little power, the engineer commented he had probably used more energy travelling to the site and measuring the power consumption than the equipment would use in its entire operational life. The power saving to be had can help justify investment in new equipment when broadcasters are short of funds!

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  • I've been surprised at how much energy can be saved by replacing out-of-date equipment with a modern equivalent. At one broadcaster, I was able to replace three bays of kit consuming several kilowatts with a 3U high box taking about a hundred watts. As the broadcaster had several sets of the equipment, the saving was very significant. Remember the power needed to cool the equipment is greater than the power it consumes directly, too. Working for another client, a broadcaster wanted to measure the power consumed by a modern piece of equipment, to help justify the investment. The modern kit consumes so little power, the engineer commented he had probably used more energy travelling to the site and measuring the power consumption than the equipment would use in its entire operational life. The power saving to be had can help justify investment in new equipment when broadcasters are short of funds!

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