Parking garage saves 70 percent on energy with Osram Duris LEDs

A pilot project of Osram Opto Semiconductors and SchahlLED Lighting achieves sustainable energy savings

The fluorescent lamps in the Nuremberg parking garage at Jakobsmarkt were exchanged for intelligent LED luminaires from SchahlLED Lighting as part of a pilot project. Modules with Duris E 3 LEDs from Osram Opto Semiconductors are installed in each luminaire. An integrated presence detector only switches the illumination from the default basic illumination to maximum output where this is actually required. Combined with the energy efficiency of the LEDs, this function saves an impressive 70 percent on power consumption.

Modern LED luminaires from SchahlLED Lighting's IPL series have been illuminating the Nuremberg parking garage at Jakobsmarkt since November 2012, replacing the fluorescent lamps previously used. The LED luminaires were specially designed for applications in low-ceilinged spaces such as parking garages or warehouses. One luminaire has five modules − each fitted with 120 Duris E 3-LEDs from Osram Opto Semiconductors − which provide high-quality, energy-efficient light. “The combination of the luminaires and our low-power LEDs has enabled the operator to slash energy consumption in the parking garage,” explained Andreas Vogler, responsible product manager at Osram Opto Semiconductors. “Whereas one fluorescent lamp with a typical system power draw of 75 W was formerly required for the active illumination of two parking spaces, this is now achieved by just one LED luminaire with 35 W or 15 W in the basic illumination mode.”

Intelligent control reduces the activation period

Using a presence detector, an intelligent control system in the luminaires activates the lighting in the building, only selecting maximum output in the locations where this is currently required. Only if a vehicle is driving through the garage or a pedestrian is moving do the luminaires installed in the vicinity increase their brightness to the maximum output of 35 W. If not activated by the presence detector, they operate at a very much lower basic illumination output of 15 W, saving energy and costs. As a result, the activation period per parking deck is cut to a third of the former value – or less. “By the time the project had been under way for just a few months, we had already saved a great deal of energy and hence also costs – despite it being the busy winter months. We expect the activation period to sink further in the summer. The acquisition costs for the connected luminaires will thus have paid off within as little as about three years,” explained Erich Obermeier, Managing Director of SchahlLED Lighting GmbH.

Light solution for the future

“After extensive comparative tests, replacing the fluorescent lamps in the parking garage with intelligent LED system luminaires was an easy decision to make, as we consider the LED technology to be a pathbreaking system. We were looking for a future-oriented, energy-saving solution that would cut operating costs, not least because our company also operates other parking facilities. We are gaining experience with the installed system. What convinced me to opt for lighting solution from Osram Opto Semiconductors and SchahlLED Lighting was above all the good experiences made in the trial operation. With the luminaires that are now installed we can implement a light solution for the future,” said Gerald Stuible, Managing Director of the parking garage company. Due to their high standard of quality, the Duris E 3-LEDs can be expected to last for over 50,000 hours in this application, even operating at full load. This will also minimize the maintenance costs. With the IPL series, however, the LEDs will only be operated at maximum output for a fraction of the time, so that we can expect a service life of well over ten years. As an additional bonus, the homogenous light emitted by the Osram LED illuminates the parking spaces extremely effectively while also cutting costs.

The intelligent parking garage luminaire is to be unveiled at the trade fair “Parken 2013” on June 19/20, 2013 in Wiesbaden, Germany. To see it, visit SchahlLED Lighting GmbH's booth No. 1-D06 in Hall 1.