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Hospital Complex Cuts Lighting Energy Consumption by 51%

Apr 4, 2011 5:21 PM

For both energy conservation and economic reasons, Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia, set the goal of reducing its lighting energy consumption by at least 30% without sacrificing illumination quality. Considering the fact that this is one of the largest health care groups in the region (encompassing 4 million square feet of clinical, research, teaching, and housing property), accomplishing this task was a tall order. However, after partnering with Encelium Technologies, based in Teaneck, N.J., the hospital’s wish became a reality, after adopting its Energy Control System (ECS) customized lighting control and energy management solution.

According to Randy Haines, energy manager for Jefferson’s complex, lighting represents approximately 15% of the facility’s electricity costs, totaling nearly $1.7 million annually. Over the course of several years, he developed an advanced metering system that generates real-time energy informa¬tion by accessing data from meters and sensors throughout the campus via the University Ethernet, storing the information on a data server and making it available via the Internet. This “smart metering” system allowed him to compare energy information on an interval basis and make decisions based on the most current data. With this information, Haines determined just how effective an advanced lighting control system would be in reducing lighting energy and delivering a quick payback on investment. He determined that if he could reduce costs by at least 30% with the ECS, it would easily achieve his payback criteria of five years. The system would also provide him with the information and tools he needed for full lighting management as he expands energy conserva¬tion technology throughout the complex.

ECS uses the collaborative power of addressable networking technology in conjunction with advanced control hardware and software, integrating and simultaneously deploying six energy-management strategies, including personal controls, task tuning, daylight harvesting, smart-time scheduling, occupancy sensors, and load shedding. The system typically meets or exceeds today’s sustainable requirements for new or existing office buildings, including Title 24, ASHRAE 90.1, and is eligible for various electric utility rebate programs and local “green” building mandates. The system also contributes up to 18 points, depending on the application, toward achieving the coveted U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED).

In 2005, Jefferson began a pilot program for advanced lighting with the 10th floor of the complex’s historic, century-old Main Building. After that program’s success, Jefferson renovated the 5th floor of the Main Building in 2006 as well as the 2nd through 5th floors of the Dorrance H. Hamilton Building in 2007. The results of this program far exceeded the hospital’s expectations, says Haines.

“By giving us the optimal control we wanted, the system cut our lighting energy consumption by 51%, delivering a payback from energy savings in just four years,” he says. “We also reduced our carbon footprint significantly with a CO2 reduction of 278 metric tons per year.”

With the advent of real-time pricing of electricity, Haines explains that the ability to load shed all lighting with a single command is powerful. That’s why he will continue to use the information from ECS to expand the facility’s energy conservation plan throughout our campus.

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