Cree Announces University of California, Davis Joins LED University Program
Cree, Inc. announced that the University of California, Davis is joining the LED University™ program in conjunction with the unveiling of new bi-level LED lighting at a UC Davis’ structure. The LED light fixtures, featuring activity-sensing technology adapted and developed at California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at UC Davis, provide enhanced nighttime visibility while reducing energy consumption by up to 80% compared with the metal-halide fixtures that were replaced.
Switching to LED lights and adding bi-level activity-sensing technology yields energy savings for the project averaging 50%. In low mode, energy savings are up to 80%. The university installed 50 BetaLED(tm) fixtures in this project and according to the university, based on nighttime, bi-level operation with an average ambient temperature near 15°C, the luminaires should require no relamping and be virtually maintenance free for 20 to 25 years.
"With LED lighting, we are improving visibility and enhancing the safety of our parking structure while reducing energy consumption," said Chris Cioni, Associate Director of UC Davis facilities management, utilities division. "We are also significantly reducing both maintenance costs and light trespass compared to the incumbent metal-halide technology. Deploying LED lighting in our parking facilities yields benefits in many areas, and we plan to evaluate LED lighting in other applications."
"Our initial LED lighting installation is part of California Lighting Technology Center’s Smart Lighting Initiative, an effort we have pursued over the past two years to utilize high-efficiency lighting sources with bi-level activity sensors to reduce lighting levels when no one is using the parking facility," said Michael Siminovitch, CLTC Director. "Even at half-power, the LED fixtures are delivering plenty of light to the space. We may be able to cut levels further, saving even more electricity and lengthening fixture lifetimes."
Safety can be improved with the bi-level system. When motion is detected and the higher light mode is activated, the change in the visual environment alerts people nearby. Drivers, pedestrians and security agents now have an indicator when there is activity in the area.
UC Davis joins LED University participants North Carolina State University, Marquette University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Arkansas, Madison Area Technical College, Notre Dame, and Tianjin Polytechnic University in China in evaluating, promoting, and deploying LED lighting as they work toward increasing energy savings, protecting the environment, reducing maintenance costs, and providing better light quality for improved visibility and safety.
