Bright Energy Solutions - Success Stories
The right lighting fixtures can reduce energy use and boost the bottom line for businesses. In fact, lighting can account for 35-40 percent of the electricity used in commercial businesses, and energy efficient lights can reduce energy consumption by 30-50 percent or more.
When the Schwan Food Company, which is headquartered in Marshall, Minn., wanted to retrofit the lighting fixtures used in its warehouse-style freezers, it called upon its local municipal electric utility--Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU), an MRES member.
During a recent compressed-air study for Schwans conducted by MRES and MU, Schwan's senior project manager inquired about other possible energy savings measures for the company. Schwans was particularly interested in more efficient lighting for their freezers, which could provide an opportunity for dual savings; reduced energy for lighting; and a reduced cooling demand due to wasted heat of the existing lighting fixtures.
Schwan's freezers feature ceiling heights of 25-35 feet, operate at temperatures down to 30 degrees before zero, and are lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MMU Energy Services Coordinator Mark Antony reviewed several options, including light-emitting diode (LED) fixutres, fluorescent fixtures, pulse-start high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, and occupancy sensors. Finally, Antony found a product that could potentially meet the frozen food company's needs. While surfing the Internet for solutions, Antony located a California company that offered a lighting product that was close to meeting Schwan's lighting requirements. The manufacturer featured a T5 fluorescent fixture that operated in freezer conditions of 18 degrees below zero--not quite low enough to meet Schwan's freezer specifications.
Determined to find a solution, the manufacturer made a few modifications to its fixture, and after a few additional changes, a T5 lighting fixture was developed that now worked in temperatures down to 32 degrees below zero. According to Schwan's the new lights can be shut off when the plant is closed, and quickly turn on when needed. They also last longer than HID lighting in freezer conditions. Since then, the company switched out almost all of its HID fixtures with the T5s.
In addition to the $113,000 annual savings on electricity through reduced lighting wattage and space cooling needs, Schwan's also took advantage of MMU's Commercial Lighting Rebate Program.
When the Schwan Food Company, which is headquartered in Marshall, Minn., wanted to retrofit the lighting fixtures used in its warehouse-style freezers, it called upon its local municipal electric utility--Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU), an MRES member.
During a recent compressed-air study for Schwans conducted by MRES and MU, Schwan's senior project manager inquired about other possible energy savings measures for the company. Schwans was particularly interested in more efficient lighting for their freezers, which could provide an opportunity for dual savings; reduced energy for lighting; and a reduced cooling demand due to wasted heat of the existing lighting fixtures.
Schwan's freezers feature ceiling heights of 25-35 feet, operate at temperatures down to 30 degrees before zero, and are lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MMU Energy Services Coordinator Mark Antony reviewed several options, including light-emitting diode (LED) fixutres, fluorescent fixtures, pulse-start high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, and occupancy sensors. Finally, Antony found a product that could potentially meet the frozen food company's needs. While surfing the Internet for solutions, Antony located a California company that offered a lighting product that was close to meeting Schwan's lighting requirements. The manufacturer featured a T5 fluorescent fixture that operated in freezer conditions of 18 degrees below zero--not quite low enough to meet Schwan's freezer specifications.
Determined to find a solution, the manufacturer made a few modifications to its fixture, and after a few additional changes, a T5 lighting fixture was developed that now worked in temperatures down to 32 degrees below zero. According to Schwan's the new lights can be shut off when the plant is closed, and quickly turn on when needed. They also last longer than HID lighting in freezer conditions. Since then, the company switched out almost all of its HID fixtures with the T5s.
In addition to the $113,000 annual savings on electricity through reduced lighting wattage and space cooling needs, Schwan's also took advantage of MMU's Commercial Lighting Rebate Program.
Never underestimate the power of a few determined young people who want to make a difference.
That’s the lesson Ortonville High School science teacher Kristi Moberg has learned as advisor for the Local Environmental Focus Team (LEFT). The seven-member student group organized in January of 2009 to encourage their peers and teachers to recycle. Within a few months, they had researched a host of other energy-saving measures for their school and been awarded a $20,000 state grant to fund their recommended improvements
“They are amazing kids,” Moberg said. “When we found out about the grant opportunity they went right to work researching ways to save energy.” The group has looked into projects ranging from efficient lighting to vending machine controls and computer network management.
The grant funds – courtesy of the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon program – are being coupled with incentives from the Ortonville Municipal Utilities to finance energy-efficiency projects. Maintenance and Custodial Director Glenn Henningson, who works closely with Moberg’s group, oversaw completion of a large lighting upgrade last spring. Nearly one-third of the project’s cost was rebated back to the school by Ortonville Utilities, Henningson said, which means next year’s LEFT group will still have several thousand dollars available to spend on additional energy-saving measures in 2011.
Even better, the lighting improvements are expected to save the school about $1,600 in electricity costs annually.
In addition to their environmental activities, Moberg said the LEFT members are involved in music, sports and drama. “They’re in everything,” she said. With so many other commitments, the students meet every couple weeks over their lunch period, and do research in their spare time.
The members’ efforts will not only pay off for the school, but are also impacting their personal lives. The group was invited to present their efficiency improvement plans to the Minnesota State Legislature this spring. “The kids thought it was fantastic – just speaking at the Capitol,” Moberg said. “They got a lot of applause. Every time they said how much energy would be saved, the legislators applauded.”
The LEFT team has done presentations for the Ortonville elementary classes, and also presented at the Middle School Science and Nature Conference at Southwest State University in Marshall. With their commitment and success, the LEFT members have made an impression on their peers, as evidenced by several classmates who plan to join LEFT this fall. “We could have a pretty large group,” Moberg said.
For more information contact:
Kristi Moberg, 320-839-6181
Glenn Henningson, 320-808-9645
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Energy Tips
Phantom Loads
Your electronics--such as TVs, phone chargers, and DVD players--use energy even when turned off. To save energy, unplug the gadgets. 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while they're turned off.
Battery Chargers
Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.
Read MoreYour electronics--such as TVs, phone chargers, and DVD players--use energy even when turned off. To save energy, unplug the gadgets. 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while they're turned off.
Battery Chargers
Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.