Technology developed by the Department of Electrical Engineering (DIE) at the University of Santiago de Chile was once again a highlight of Lollapalooza 2026. Through the ReBatVE project at the Center for Research in Electric Energy Technologies (E2Tech), repurposed electric vehicle batteries were used to power one of the festival’s key venues.
These systems provided clean energy for Lolla Zen, a wellness area featuring three tents dedicated to alternative therapies and emotional support. By utilizing an electric vehicle equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, the team was able to draw power directly from the car's batteries to support the site's needs. This innovative approach eliminated the reliance on diesel generators, significantly reducing both CO2 emissions and noise pollution.
Regarding the technology’s potential, Dr. Matías Díaz—a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at USACH and the project director—emphasized that its scalability is significant. He noted that "these batteries still retain a substantial portion of their capacity, making them ideal for energy storage and replacing diesel-powered generation in applications such as large-scale events, temporary sites, or off-grid facilities."
"Testing this technology at a major event like Lollapalooza 2026 was a critical milestone," Dr. Díaz added. "It demonstrates that it is entirely possible to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in these types of complex operations."
Energy Mapping
In 2025, DIE USACH conducted an initial assessment of the festival’s energy consumption to identify key opportunities for improving efficiency and sustainability. Building on this foundation, the 2026 initiative involved installing advanced monitoring equipment at the festival's main stages—the Banco de Chile Stage and the Cenco Mall Stage—and expanding these measurements to other areas, including Kidzapalooza.
As Dr. Díaz, an expert in electromobility, explained, "The goal was to extrapolate these high-precision measurements to calculate the festival’s total energy footprint. This data allows us to implement targeted measures to mitigate pollution and optimize energy efficiency."
Through these sustained efforts, DIE USACH has distinguished itself as the only university department in Chile to collaborate with Lollapalooza on developing comprehensive energy metrics and conducting large-scale technological demonstrations in electromobility and battery repurposing.
A Space in the Green Village
In addition, the E2Tech team had a booth at Aldea Verde, the green village, an area within the festival dedicated to environmental initiatives. There, attendees were able to learn about second-life batteries and recharge low-power devices using energy from the ReBatVE project.