Available for Pre-Order: Hue Lux

Following the astronomic success of the original Hue lamps, Philips lighting have created Hue Lux. These new white only bulbs emit fully dimmable warm white light and have all the functionality of the original Hue lamps. 

These lamps have been designed to produce a welcoming warm white light which can be dimmed to suit your mood or occasion. The can be controlled via the Hue app which is available on most smartphones. 

A spokesperson for Philips explains: "Hue Lux is a snap to set up and use and the bulbs fit right into your current light fittings or luminaires. Choose a starter pack or add to it with a single bulb. 

Philips Hue Lux provides a personal and interactive way to control lighting from a smart mobile device or tablet. It enables use of light in a variety of functionality such as timers, alarms, geo-fencing and soft security elements.

Wait for the three LEDs on the bridge to light up. Download the free Hue app to your iOS device and connect your device to the bridge. Find your bulbs. Name them. And start controlling your lights. You can add up to 50 bulbs to your systems"

Here's what's new:

iOS:

• Added improved support for Hue Lux lights, our new white only bulbs
• Added a showcase of 3rd party apps we like
• Numerous UI improvements including
• Merged Light Control and Light Overview into a single Lights menu option (iPhone/iPod only)
• Improved responsiveness of scene recall and enabled background scene blurring for all devices
• The photos on the Scenes dashboard have been given a new more modern look
• Improved interaction for scene creation and editing
• Bug fixes and stability improvements

Android:

• Added improved support for Hue Lux lights, our new white only bulbs
• Added a showcase of 3rd party apps we like
• Numerous UI improvements including
• Improved Light Control
• The photos on the Scenes dashboard have been given a new more modern look
• Improved interaction for scene creation and editing
• Bug fixes and stability improvements

To order your very own Hue starter pack or for more information on this or any other LED lighting product call 0118 950 7125 or visit www.theledspecialist.co.uk

Philips' Light at the Museum Pilot Study

The Dutch National Museum for Science and Medicine was home to Philips' landmark pilot study for connected lighting mobile apps. Findings from the study indicated that 7 out of 10 museum visitors would like to receive location relevant information via their smartphone.

Philips, the global leader in lighting, hopes this innovative mobile app for connected lighting will provide a template for use in museums, hospitals and supermarkets in the not so distant future. 

The exhibition is part of a pilot project for Philips' LED based connected lighting systems for indoor positioning. The connected lighting systems use Visual Light Communication (VLC) technology. The exhibitions luminaires are placed in a positioning grid, they are individually identifiable and communicate with the camera's sensors in smartphones and tablets. Each light fixture in the grid communicates by blinking at high frequencies undetectable to the human eye, information relevant to the patrons location within the exhibition is transmitted through these fast pulses. VLC transmits data one way only meaning users personal data cannot be accessed by the connected lighting app. 

Upon arrival at the museum, visitors were given a tablet with a pre-installed app, the app contains a variety of multi-media content relevant to various locations within the exhibition. As the visitor moves around the exhibition, the individual light fixtures act as positioning beacons transmitting their location to the tablets camera sensor which trigger the apps content at various locations.

Visitors completed a short survey after their museum tour, the findings indicate that;

67% of visitors liked the fact that the tablet automatically provided additional relevant information at various information points

63% of visitors said that the tablet made the visit to the exhibition more enjoyable and interesting

50% of visitors under 50 years old said they would visit museums and exhibitions more often if there were tablets available to provide additional information or to guide them around a special route

Dirk Van Drift, Director of the Boerhaave Museum said: “We now know that offering a location aware and interactive experience encourages people to visit our museum more often. What is also really exciting and innovative is that we were able to achieve this by using energy efficient lighting, giving us a double advantage.”

The “smartphone generation” (those under 50) said they were open to trying connected lighting mobile applications in a number of settings. Almost 50% of all visitors claimed they would like to receive location-based information and use way finding services offered via the app in hospitals, shopping centres and supermarkets.

Jella Segers, from Philips Lighting said: “The survey findings show that we need to think of lighting differently. Lighting has gone beyond mere illumination. We can now deliver great quality and highly energy-efficient LED lighting that acts as a positioning grid to deliver targeted information, enriching people’s experiences of the places they visit, whether it’s a museum, supermarket, airport terminal or any large public indoor space.” 

Tonight Chelsea FC Become The First Premiership Club To Use LED Floodlighting

This evening Stamford Bridge will host the UK's first football game lit by LED floodlights. During Chelsea's friendly against Real Sociedad, Philips lighting promise fans and players better quality light and enhanced night vision thanks to their innovative ArenaVison LED floodlight system.  

CEO of Philips Lighting, Eric Rondolat explains: "The world's first ever floodlit football match took place in England, so as sports lighting goes digital it is only right that the lighting standard is again being set there. We are witnessing another technology milestone in the modern football game."

Philips ArenaVision LED floodlighting solution was created to meet the latest Premier League broadcasting requirements whilst provide players, broadcasters and fans with a top class sporting experience. Philips ArenaVision LEDs emit flawless, uniform beams of light creating exceptional vertical illuminance of the players. 

Eric Rondolat elaborates: "Our LED pitch lighting meets the new stringent broadcast criteria of the English Premier League in helping to deliver high definition, flicker-free, super slow-motion images and ensures that Chelsea delivers the best possible viewing experience to the 40,000 plus fans in the stadium as well as those at home." 

It isn't just broadcasting images that are improved by ArenaVision, the club can also expect a huge improvement in its environmental impact. Unlike the old fashioned metal halide floodlights, used in previous seasons, the new LED solution can be switched on instantaneously eliminating the need for a warm up period which in turn reduces light pollution in the area. Maintenance costs are also significantly reduced as Philips LED floodlights promise to last for up to ten seasons whereas the old metal halide lamps could only be used for three seasons. 

As with most connected lighting systems, ArenaVision is complete with its own dedicated user interface and control system. The club's maintenance managers will easily be able to switch between optimal lighting configurations, giving them total flexibility and the ability to dim and switch each individual floodlight. 

The control system comes with an added benefit, it can also be used to create entertainment lighting. The control system can be used to create a number of lighting effects that previously could only be achieved using dedicated stage lighting. This additional features means the floodlights can be easily integrated into pre- and post-match light shows creating the ultimate, exciting stadium atmosphere. 

Ron Gourlay, Chief Executive of Chelsea FC said: "I am delighted to be able to work with Philips on delivering the best possible environment for our supporters to enjoy Chelsea matches in. Once again, Chelsea Football Club is at the forefront of innovation and we look forward to many more memorable games at Stamford Bridge under this new floodlighting system." 

After seeing the benefits of ArenaVision at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC are in the process of up-lamping it's training ground to ensure lighting at training is similar to that of match days. The new high-tech connected lighting system will also enable the club to create varied illuminance levels by only lighting specific areas of the training ground creating the ideal practice environment for it's world class players.  

The LED Specialist and our sister company, Lightsave Fuller Read are preferred Philips lighting distiributors, if you require more information on this or any other LED lighting product visit our website http://theledspecialist.co.uk/ or call 0118 9507125

Light, Beyond Illumination- Coming Soon To A Streetlight Near You

Industry giants Philips and Ericsson have teamed up to create streetlight columns with integrated mobile broadband. It is hoped this innovation will allow telecom operators to harness the infrastructure of the existing streetlights to expand and strengthen their data networks.

If the project comes to fruition, telecom gorgon Eriksson will be able to rent the space within the lighting columns to mobile operators.

Philips’ CEO, Frans van Houten said: the technology offers cities a more energy efficient and safer urban area. This new connected LED streetlighting model is another example of us bringing the Internet of Things to life, and demonstrates the capabilities of light, beyond illumination. 

Manchester Airport Group’s LED switch-over

Manchester Airport Terminal 2

As part of their wide ranging sustainability programme, Manchester Airport Group (MAG) have replaced costly, high maintenance, outdated incandescent and fluorescent lighting with Philips LED luminaires in Manchester airport’s Terminal 2 and in Olympic House, MAG’s Head Office.

Philips' PowerBalance LED luminaire

The newly refurbished Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport is now illuminated using a combination of Philips’ PowerBalance and GentleSpace LED luminaires. Using these two different luminaires, lighting designers were able to accommodate the variation in ceiling height within the two terminal halls. To achieve a consistent light output through the terminal halls, higher mounted applications required a higher light output than those replacing the ceiling recessed lighting. Philips’ GentleSpace luminaires deliver the required high lighting output while PowerBalance luminaires provide an efficient and cost-effective LED alternative to the outdated, ceiling-mounted, fluorescent lighting.

Philips GentleSpace LED luminaire

In total, 2498 luminaires were replaced and a further 1356 were deemed redundant and so were removed during the LED switch-over. The installed electrical load within Terminal 2 has now been reduced by 2,225,879 kWh and the terminal’s carbon emissions have been reduced by 1,206 kg. Due to the LED lamps extended life time, maintenance and re-lamping costs will also be reduced meaning MAG can anticipate significant savings across the board. Both Philips’ PowerBalance and GentleSpace are included on the Energy Technology List, enabling MAG to claim tax exemption through the government’s Enhanced Capital Allowances Scheme.

All luminaires have been fitted with DALI cabling and control gear using this MAG created a unique, easy to use, cost effective lighting management system set to meet their unique control requirements. An essential requirement of the lighting within Terminal 2 was digital dimming; this functionality can also be achieved using DALI technology. MAG integrated the lighting control system with their in-house flight movement system aligning light levels to coincide with passenger movement and numbers ensuring lighting is being not wasted in unused areas thus maximising energy savings. 

Olympic House

After seeing the success of the LED switch-over in Terminal 2, MAG decided to upgrade the lighting in their Head Office, Olympic House. Earlier this year, Olympic House’s five floors were given a make-over, during the refurbishment MAG took the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, cut energy emissions and still receive a reasonable return on their initial investment. Through using Philips LED lighting and control systems MAG have created a modern, energy efficient, working environment.

Philips LuxSpace Compact LED luminaire

LED lights and control systems were installed on the ground, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th floors of Olympic House during the renovation. In open plan office areas, general lighting is provided using PowerBalance LED modular recessed luminaires. PowerBalance luminaires have a consistent light output and offer stable colour performance, their long lamp life means cost of ownership is low making them a smart, cost-effective lighting choice. In circulation areas, PowerBalance luminaires are complemented by LuxSpace Compact and StyliD mini recessed LED down-lighters providing feature lighting.  

Philips StyliD LED luminaire

To further maximise energy savings, lighting is Olympic House is controlled using Philips’ Dynalite control system which utilises the DALI protocol based on an Ethernet backbone. The control system has been configured so that other areas of the building can be added into the control system at a later date; the control system will be regularly maintained by Philips through their Control After-Care Package. As well as adding new areas to the system, Dynalite head end software enables MAG to easily reconfigure the lighting should the layout of the workspaces change in the future.

In office areas daylight harvesting technology is used meaning the lighting is linked to photocells and dimmed according to the rhythm of the natural daylight ensuring the required lighting levels are maintained using the minimum amount of energy. In areas of variable occupancy, presence detection sensors are used to ensure lighting is only on when required. In addition to these innovations, Olympic House’s meeting rooms have pre-set scene controls, while the board room has a touch screen interface which offers a more extensive control of the luminaires.

Light provided by Philips has transformed both Olympic House and Terminal 2. Since the switch-over, MAG has received positive feedback from staff and customers alike. After seeing the effects of these renovations, MAG staff from areas which were not included in the switch-over, have now requested LED lighting within their departments!

For more information on any of the lighting or control systems within this project or any LED product visit our website http://theledspecialist.co.uk/ or call the office 0118 950 7125 to speak to an informed lighting specialist. 

How LED lighting can benefit your University- Graduate with a first class honours in lighting!

With recent cuts in government funding now taking effect, there has never been a more ample time for Universities to invest in LED lighting technology. Effective lighting technology can improve the quality of your environment, help meet sustainability goals and improve the well-being of your staff and students. Investing in LED lighting and control systems will bring immediate benefits including; reduced energy consumption and on-going maintenance costs.

Lighting equates to around a quarter of a University’s energy bill, this figure can be reduced by using energy efficient LED lighting and lighting management systems. Monitoring energy use across an entire University is no easy task; it is difficult to know how much energy is being consumed by each area and how to minimise this. Installing a lighting management system allows you to see and monitor lighting energy consumption within each area. Using this information, you can then consider how this consumption could be reduced, taking into account which areas are being occupied, for what, and how frequently. In areas where permanent lighting is unnecessary, presence detection sensors, timed switching, dimming and or daylight harvesting strategies could be utilised to drive down energy consumption and cost.

Some of the benefits of using energy efficient lighting are not immediately obvious; for example by ensuring lighting is only turned on when it is needed, less heat is generated and therefore less air conditioning is required. An overall reduction in lighting use means reduced energy consumption, lower emissions, smaller energy bills and a “greener” carbon footprint.

In today’s competitive environment, attractive LED lighting can help reinforce your brand image, strengthening your appeal to students, parents and business partners alike. Due to increased environmental awareness, choosing a “green University” may be an important factor for the next generation of students, there fore the lower your carbon footprint the more attractive your University will become. Likewise, business partners will be more likely to invest in research facilities or hire spaces available for corporate events if the University’s environmental policy matches that of their company.

Creating the right environment for learning is an essential goal for any University, their aim is to create spaces that are comfortable for students and lecturers which are also flexible enough to suit different tutorial needs. Using intelligent LED lighting the same space can be used for a multitude of activities; a space can be altered, literally with the flick of a switch transforming it into a completely different environment. Flexible LED lighting can be used to:

•          Project you University colours - reinforcing your brand identity
•          Give public spaces a WOW factor- making a lasting impression on students and their parents
•          Support themes and events around campus throughout the year
•          Create attractive, high-tech spaces to hire- attracting commercial interest
•          Transform a simple lecture theatre into a multimedia theatre
•          Stimulate students when energy is low by altering frequency and intensity of the lighting
•          Calm hyperactive students during lectures again, by altering the frequency and intensity of the lighting

Using LED lighting products can help transform your University environment. LED lighting is an investment which will start to repay itself the moment it is installed; that’s good news for you, good news for your budget, your staff, your students and your carbon footprint.

For more information or to begin your LED switch-over visit our website http://theledspecialist.co.uk/ or call the office to speak to one of our informed lighting specialists 0118 950 7125

Simply LED, for Sheffield Simply Food Store

Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food store in Sheffield is the first store within the UK to be lit using only LED lighting making it M&S’s most sustainable store. The store’s sustainable, bright, enticing lighting is achieved by combining Philips’ LED luminaires with Philips’ Dynalite management control system.

Philips Dynalite Control System

The LED lighting has been installed in across the store’s car park areas, back of house and shop floor, and has given the store energy savings of 25-30%. The installation of the new Philips Dynalite control system could further increase these savings!

In addition to these initial energy savings, thanks to the LED’s long lamp life, the store will also benefit from reduced maintenance costs as the need for re-lamping will be eradicated. Another benefit to the installation of LED lighting is there will be no discharge lamps to dispose of, meaning M&S avoid incurring WEEE charges.

Philips Maxos Trunking

Customers will be enticed into the store’s entrance due to the lighting ambiance created by Philips Blast and Graze luminaires. The remainder of lighting within the store is produced through a combination of Maxos trunking and StyliD fixtures. The store’s food chillers are all fitted with the latest generation of warm white LED modules; these make the merchandise look as attractive as possible. LED fittings and wall marker lights illuminate the store’s outdoor areas, creating a pleasant and safe environment in the car parks. 

Philips StyliD

To make maximum use of the natural daylight which pours in through the windows, M&S have utilised the daylight harvesting setting offered by Philip’s Dynalite control system. The daylight harvesting setting follows the rhythm of natural daylight and automatically dims the luminaires within each area ensuring a constant level of light is maintained in each working space. The control system can also be set so it switches off entirely as the daylight takes overs, further increasing the store’s energy savings. 

Alison Burnley, Store Manager at M&S Simply Foods Sheffield said: “We are delighted to be opening  this new Sustainable Learning Store in Sheffield which is the most environmentally friendly store M&S has ever built. The eco friendly Philips lighting systems we have in place have contributed to this and ensure that we create a fresh modern shopping environment for our customers.” 

Without a doubt, employing such initiatives as LED dimming and daylight harvesting M&S is one step closer  to achieving its ambitious energy reduction targets, setting an example to us all.

For more information about this project or any of the products featured visit our website http://theledspecialist.co.uk/ or call the office to speak to an informed sales advisor 0118 950 7125