Lighting Roundup: Americold, Red Robin, Air Force, and More

Posted

Here’s a roundup of the latest news in energy-efficient lighting.

Digital Lumens and Groom Energy have announced that their large-scale lighting deployment for Americold, the country’s largest logistics company for the food industry, has achieved a 90 percent energy reduction.

The Intelligent LED Lighting Systems at Americold facilities located in Massachusetts, Utah and Wisconsin produces higher quality lighting and reduce overall energy consumption by up to 2.3 million kilowatt hours (kWhs) annually, Digital Lumens said. Over the coming months, Groom Energy and Americold are scheduled to upgrade facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois and Texas. The projects will reduce energy use by an additional 3.3 million kWhs and 3.25 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually, the companies said.

More than 20 Red Robin restaurant locations are installing about 3,500 par 20, par 30 and par 38 Eco-story LED lamps, expected to save more than 1 million kWh of electricity and $117,000 annually. The restaurants are operated by Michigan-based Ansara Restaurant Group, one of Red Robin International’s largest franchise organizations, which predicts a return on investment (ROI) in about ten months. The switch is expected to save about 524 tons of carbon dioxide a year.

Diesel engine and propulsion system manufacturer MTU Detroit Diesel is replacing about 850 metal-handle fixtures with 100w and 200w induction high bays (pictured) from EverLast, at its new 300,000 sq. ft facility in South Carolina.

The U.S. Air Force also recently selected EverLast lighting to reduce energy costs at Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, Fla. The base will use induction cobra head streetlights, expected to cut lighting energy consumption by 50 percent. The Department of Defense is one of the largest energy consumers in the U.S., but has severe restrictions on the use of LED luminaires, which it says are not permitted for a number of applications due to a slow ROI and inconsistent performance claims.

The University of Maryland at College Park recently replaced 12,000 light bulbs with 6,600 Columbia Lighting fluorescents from Hubbell Lighting, which the university says will save 1.4 million kWh and $153,000 per year, Campus Technology reports.. The institution said the move is part of a larger efficiency initiative expected to cut building energy use by a fifth and save $1.7 million a year. The campus has an overall goal of become carbon neutral by 2050.

SRS Realty’s four building towers of 20 to 30 suites each in Waukegan and Lake Bluff, Ill., are now saving more than 69 percent per year off their lighting costs, the company said. State of the Art Electric replaced the old lighting systems with T8 lamps and electronic ballasts. The ROI on each building is between nine and 12 months, and the projects will save $51,328 per year, SRS Realty said. The projects used a $47,377 rebate from utility ComEd.

Aerospace and gas turbine component manufacturer TECT Power is also saving over 69 percent per year off its lighting costs, after a retrofit by SmartWatt Energy. The project, which used an incentive from National Grid’s Large Business Energy Reduction Program, will pay for itself in 15 months, TECT said.

Philips Lumileds has introduced a high-voltage emitter, Luxeon H, driven with rectified AC voltage rather than constant DC current. This allows an increase in the thermal limit for even the smallest bulbs, the company said, and will support both 110V and 240V products.

GenLED Lighting has introduced its new generation of LED retrofit lamps intended for use in retail, hospitality and office applications. They include MR 16, PAR 20, PAR 30 and PAR 38 lamps for use in track, recessed ceiling lights and pendant fixtures, and a T8 LED lamp available in warm, neutral, cool and daylight tones.

Environment + Energy Leader