E.ON is working with Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall to replace its auditorium lighting with a more efficient LED system that not only saves thousands of pounds in running costs but solves a problem seen by theatres and venues around the country - maintaining a quality of light that can be easily controlled and dimmed to blackout.
The pioneering solution designed by E.ON with Projection Lighting and DES Electrical saw more than 500 old-style incandescent light fittings taken out and replaced with energy efficient and long-lasting LED alternatives. These continue to meet the style and artistic requirements of the Hall’s auditorium and also help save over £16,0001 a year in energy bills and maintenance costs.
Previously, more than 700 filament lamps had to be replaced each year because of the effect of noise vibration from concerts in the auditorium. Since the new LED light fittings have been installed, no lamps have had to be replaced.
In recent months theatres and performing arts venues have expressed concern about new EU laws restricting supplies of traditional incandescent bulbs in homes, saying they were vital to ensure lighting can be tailored to suit a production’s needs.
But the new solution ensures that Nottingham Royal Concert Hall has access to fully controllable lighting that maintains the warmth and dimming standards needed for lighting the auditorium during shows. Alongside that, the longer life LED lamps will deliver carbon savings of 104 tonnes2. The system requires minimal upkeep after installation adding further convenience and cost savings.
Rupert Butt, Performance Engineering Manager at E.ON Connecting Energies, said: “This is an important project for us and the Royal Concert Hall – and indeed similar entertainment venues across the UK. Until recently it was widely believed LED lighting could not give the type of light and the control needed for theatre performances, meaning concert halls and venues were missing out on potential energy efficiency measures and cost savings.
“The concern around the phasing out of traditional bulbs has been particularly strong in theatrical venues so we are delighted to be one of the first energy companies to successfully implement a system such as this, giving substantial help on energy costs without compromising the quality of the performance.”
Dave Guy, Technical Director at the Nottingham Concert Hall, added: “We worked with E.ON to reach a solution to maintain warm, incandescent light that is crucial for stage productions where atmosphere is paramount. The infrastructure allows the existing lighting locations and control systems to be retained but now provides a control mechanism to dim down to 0.25%, which is more efficient and necessary for the diverse aesthetics required for the different staging productions we put on here at the concert hall.”
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall is one of nine public buildings undergoing energy efficiency improvements with E.ON as part of the RE:FIT framework partnership with Nottingham City Council. Under the agreement E.ON is investing £1.2m to deliver a guaranteed 26% energy saving across buildings including leisure centres, care homes and a sports stadium.
Energy conservation measures being installed by E.ON at the Royal Concert Hall and eight other public buildings in Nottingham include upgrades to the Air Handling Equipment and Building Management Systems that will generate further energy and carbon savings and improve comfort conditions for the many people that occupy and visit these buildings each year.
