LED redesign gives logistics warehouse big energy savings

A Sydney warehouse has experienced a reduction in energy by more than 74% since commencing an overhaul of its lighting needs.

The Yusen Logistics warehouse in Wetherill Park recently commissioned Aglo Systems for a lighting efficiency upgrade to not only cut energy costs, but ensure compliance to Australian AS1680 standards.

The project used both classic round and linear LED highbays and longer fittings with an elongated beam spread in the storage aisles, which meant a smaller number of luminaires were needed to light the space.

This proposal saw 89 fewer fittings installed across the building while still increasing brightness and lux levels up to eight times in some areas.

The warehouse also reportedly used 530,712 kWh before the retrofit, which dropped to 172,309 kWh following the installation. The cost savings are estimated to be more than $70,000 per year.

“Ease of installation was a key factor when I chose a supplier for our LED light installation,” said Thomas Finnigan, procurement and facilities officer at Yusen Logistics.

“Aglo didn’t disappoint on this.”

The lighting company also used controllers and sensors for the lights in their design, which monitor area occupancy, as well as natural light from the skylights to adjust the light levels needed. If it doesn’t measure occupancy for 10 minutes, the lights will dim down to 20%. Finnigan said he was impressed by the results.

“Performance of the lights greatly outshone every expectation that I had, even at a 20% dimmed level activated by the sensors we requested,” he said.

“I would certainly have Aglo as a frontrunner for any future LED projects on our sites.”

One sensor per light fitting was installed ensuring each light (spaced 9-12 m apart) was individually controlled to suit the conditions of that particular area. To reduce installation time and costs, the sensors were also connected to each fitting prior to site delivery.

Other results from the retrofit included an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 382.8 tonnes CO₂e per year.

The total cost of the project came to $173,580 (ex GST). The company was also eligible for a NSW Government rebate of $32,786.

Images courtesy of Aglo Systems.