Detroit Metropolitan Airport to launch massive conversion to LED lights in parking structures
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) will replace all 6,050 lighting fixtures in both parking structures and increase the number of fixtures by 19 percent while still saving 66 percent on its annual electric bill by switching to light-emitting diode (LED) lights.
The project, competitively bid and awarded to Michigan-based Rauhorn Electric, Inc., is expected to cost $6.2 million.
The anticipated annual reduction of energy consumption by more than 7,345,000 kilowatt hours in combination with reduced labor and material costs will save approximately $1.2 million (at current electric rates) every year. The existing lights need to be replaced on average once every 13 months whereas the new Cooper LED lights are guaranteed to meet minimum lighting levels for ten years. The Authority may also be eligible for DTE Energy efficiency incentives.
In addition to the new fixtures, the project incorporates Smart Light Controls in both parking structures which sense activity in the facilities and observe ambient light levels allowing the airport to gain even more savings by reducing lighting levels during times when no activity occurs. The controls can activate each LED fixture to provide ample lighting upon sensing pedestrians and vehicles. While the current parking lights run 24 hours per day, the new fixtures and Smart Controls will be able to harvest daylight and reduce power to the fixtures as appropriate.
“The energy saved in this project is equivalent to powering 880 U.S. households for one year, and the reduction of 7,000 metric tons of CO2 per year is equal to taking 1,350 passenger vehicles off the road,” said Dib.
The project is expected to commence next month and be complete by September 2014.
