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of their wide ranging sustainability programme, Manchester Airport Group (MAG) have replaced costly, high maintenance, outdated incandescent and fluorescent lighting with Philips LED luminaires in Manchester airport’s Terminal 2 and in Olympic House, MAG’s Head Office.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high lighting output while PowerBalance luminaires provide an efficient and cost-effective LED alternative to the outdated, ceiling-mounted, fluorescent lighting.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. 

Philips' LED downlighters transform Dartmoor Zoological Park’s restaurant and conference area

The incredible story of Dartmoor Zoo is the subject of the best-selling book and film ‘We Bought A Zoo’. In 2006, the Mee brothers took a leap of faith without any experience to fall back on, purchased a run down zoo. Thanks to the brothers' tireless efforts, the estate has now been bought back to its former glory and a number of facilities have been improved. After the renovation, a remaining area of concern was the restaurant which was illuminated by outdated 2 x 26w compact fluorescent down lights.

Alex Smale, the zoo’s Business Development Manager said: “We reached a stage where only 40% of the fittings were working and those that were on were not giving out much light. The fittings were also very unattractive and certainly didn’t create the right impression.”

Philips’ solution to this problem was to replace the existing fittings with 32w Luxspace LED recessed down lighters. The benefits of using these lamps include; improved lighting performance, minimal installation costs and energy savings. 

Divided into zones, the Luxspace fittings are controlled through Philips OccuSwitch DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) which delivers an enhanced level of control. Through this system, lighting is linked to photocells so that it can be automatically dimmed in relation to natural daylight. The system is also linked to the occupancy detectors; ensuring lighting in unoccupied areas of the restaurant is dimmed to around 20% of the full light output. 

Staff and visitors approve of the new lighting, Alex Smale enthused: “It has made a fantastic difference to the restaurant and we’ll be saving a massive amount on energy costs. There will also be big savings on maintenance, thanks to the long life of the LED lamps”.

Philips is also supplying new lighting in the zoo’s’ cat houses with the aim of creating a better environment for the keepers. This lighting upgrade is part of the zoo’s plan to reduce its environmental impact, the zoo works closely with Bicton College in Salterton to promote environmental awareness. Together, these two organisations are working towards creating an education centre within the zoo.