Energy-saving project for warehouse lighting

Airam’s warehouse facilities in Kerava were built 10 years ago. Since those days, industrial light fittings and particularly LED technology have developed rapidly. When the extension to the warehouse facilities was completed a couple of years ago, renewal of the lighting became necessary. The aim was to install modern and more and effective lighting in the 8000 m² warehouse facilities, and to achieve savings in energy consumption.

With financial support from the ELY Center

For such a major energy-saving project, a grant was applied for and received from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Center). The centre grants development support for the development measures and investments of SMEs when they want to invest, for example, in renewal, growth or internationalisation. Energy support is granted, among other things, for investment and development projects that promote energy-saving or reduce environmental damage from the production or use of energy.

Choosing luminaires

Regional Sales Manager Carola Meckelborg from Airam says that two types of the luminaire were selected for the warehouse facilities: Futura Tech industrial luminaires as a fixed light source and Okta suspended luminaires. Futura Tech luminaires are energy-efficient and suitable for both cold and warm facilities. The luminaires are equipped with RST latches and are through-conducted.

Okta luminaires with clear glass diffusers were selected for the high area between the luminaire assembly facility and the new warehouse. The IP65-standard luminaire is very sturdy and the light flux of the 175 W luminaire is an impressive 24,500 lm. The Okta luminaire can be either clear glass, opal plexi polycarbonate or clear. All luminaires in the warehouse are fitted with DALI controls. The DALI system was implemented using Helvar products. Timo Keto of Ramboll was responsible for their design.

Warehouse operations were made easier

Anna Gustafsson, Airam’s Director of Logistics, summarises the success of the lighting project as follows: Now the light in the warehouse comes evenly downwards and is brighter than the previous fluorescent tubes. The luminaires require practically no maintenance, so we don’t need to separately monitor failed luminaires and go and change fluorescent tubes and/or starters up in the ceiling. The system is fitted with motion sensors, so the lights are never on needlessly. They go out when there is no movement in the corridor and come on when someone enters there. The lighting can also be controlled according to the wishes of the users: the illumination, extinguishing and brightness of the lights can be regulated.

Concrete savings

At the same time as renewing the lighting, luminaires and sensors operating on DALI (digital addressable lighting interface) control were introduced. In the overall costs, replacement work, programming and support from the ELY Centre were taken into account. Comparison was carried out by taking into account the change of the old lighting to the corresponding new system that was installed, says Miikka Rauhala of Airam. The payback period for the new lighting is 4½ years, after which significant annual savings in energy costs can be achieved.