The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls in nonresidential applications.
This month, we will explore an innovative installation of exterior lighting controls at an automotive retailer in Wisconsin. Design by Faith Technologies. Lighting by LSI Industries, lighting controls by Synapse Wireless.
When a large automotive retailer reviewed expenses attributed to lighting 44 dealerships, they discovered significant opportunities to save energy and improve performance. Before embarking on this grand scale project, staff considered factors including importance of lighting enhancing the presentation of vehicles, providing vehicle/employee security, monitoring/maintenance of lighting systems, and feasibility of installation.
After a thorough investigation of options, the retailer understood the potential for significant savings by including a lighting control strategy. A wireless control system was selected to lower installation costs and provide flexibility for long-term maintenance and expansion of facilities.
A total 1,850 LED fixtures were installed over six months concluding November 2017. Fixtures included wireless modules pre-installed from the factory. Each location secured a front-end Site Manager which allows quick and easy access to lights through WiFi-enabled smartphones or computers. This gives the staff a simple way to set dimming levels, zones and schedules to maximize their energy savings. The system design also includes inputs from occupancy sensors to bring lights immediately on to full if someone drives or walks onto any lot during off hours.
To maximize energy savings, the end user established zones in the web application so fixtures on the interior of the lots are reduced down to 10% output after hours while leaving the row on the perimeter of the dealership at 100% output so that potential customers can still view inventory which the retailer seeks to highlight.
In addition, the facility personnel receive security alerts when motion is detected and specific alarms when fixtures are not performing to pre-programmed tolerances indicating maintenance may be required.
Through collaboration between end user, installer, manufacturer, representative and utility, yearly energy and maintenance savings of $555,597.93 were achieved. The overall project ROI was 5.29 years, including everything from fixtures, accessories, wall packs, poles and controls.
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