Lighting

Lighting stands for about 10-15% of the energy used in industry. 75% of the lighting used in industry is based on old and inefficient technology, so potentially an energy efficient lighting system could save energy and costs.

 

ENERGY SAVING AND EFFICIENCY MEASURES

 

– Using natural light.

As a rule, when it comes to lighting, regardless of the type of area that it is used for, the most must be made out of sunlight. Transparent or translucent surfaces are highly recommended so that natural light can be used without disregarding its thermal behaviour. In general, the transparent/translucent surfaces such as windows or skylights have to be kept clean, even though on many occasions as these surfaces are difficult to get to, they are not cleaned, which limits the amount of natural light that shines on them.

 

– Adapting the levels of lighting.

When planning lighting systems or when carrying out a study on how to change it, it is essential that the level of lighting is adapted to the real requirements of each area.

The recommended levels of lighting for an industrial warehouse depend on the activities that are going to be carried out there, bearing in mind the existing applicable legislation.

In the Valencian community there are regulations in force on the minimum levels of lighting that must exist according to the tasks that are carried out pursuant to the Royal Decree 486/1997 Legislation and Regulations of Health and Safety in the workplace, GeneralitatValenciana.

 

– Replacing traditional lights or lamps for LED lights.

Traditionally, the types of lights that were used in the industrial sector were the gas-discharge lamps. To be more precise high-pressure sodium-vapour lamps, high-pressure mercury-vapour lamps (now in disuse due to their low energy efficiency), fluorescent lamps and metal-halide lamps.

Nowadays highpower LED technology for industrial use is replacing traditional forms of lighting, due to the fact that it is cheaper and because LEDs save much more on the energy consumed compared to traditional lighting in all environments.

 

–Control, management and maintenance.

A good lighting control system provides quality lighting only when it is necessary and for a specific amount of time.

To make the most out of the lighting systems they have to be maintained properly. If the lights or lamps are not clean enough, the luminous flux drops considerably, the temperature of the lights increases as well, which affects their luminous efficacy and their service life.