ExCeL London Expands LED Lighting Retrofit Ahead of London 2012 Olympics with New Dialight Fixtures

The latest change-out project builds upon the 2010 retrofit of 194 400W high-pressure sodium units with 150W Dialight High Bays throughout the building’s one-half-mile-long Central Boulevard area. That conversion, performed by Dialight authorized distributor Elite Renewables, reduced energy consumption by 70 percent in the main thoroughfare and enabled the 100,000 square meter ExCeL London, one of the greenest and most energy-efficient of its kind in the world, to double the on-floor illumination (from 100 to 220 lux) and achieve three-times the energy efficacy (4.2 W/m2 compared to 12.32 W/m2 with the previous HPS units).

The new exterior installation enhances illumination and visual clarity for improved traffic management and security in the area where event-related equipment staging, loading and unloading takes place, as well as at the entrance/exit to the facility’s massive underground parking areas. The previous HPS fixtures were plagued by extended warm-up periods and were on a manual switch, which meant they were often accidentally left on when not needed because personnel simply forgot to shut them off, wasting valuable energy and money.

Elite Renewables installed each new Dialight fixture with a photocell for automatic dusk-to-dawn operation and the instant-on capability adds safety and security. In the event of a power failure, the Dialight LEDs will immediately restrike at full output the second the backup generator kicks on, virtually eliminating this safety and security risk at the high-profile event centre. The new units are also maintenance free, backed by Dialight’s 5-year full-performance warranty.

“We’ve been extremely impressed by the outstanding quality of light and energy savings we’ve achieved from our previous Dialight installations throughout the Centre. It’s been a significant improvement to the visitor experience that has kept our world-class facility in high demand for high-profile events,” said ExCeL’s Building Services Manager Chris Barnes. “Based on our experience with the Dialight product, it was the natural choice to take advantage of the Dialight technology to improve our exterior lighting as well.”

ExCeL London will play host to 7 Olympic and 6 Paralympic events when the Games of the Olympiad kick off July 27, including the boxing, wrestling, judo, tae kwon do, table tennis, boccia, weight lifting and power lifting, fencing, wheelchair fencing and sitting volleyball competitions.

“It’s been a distinct pleasure to work with the ExCeL team to help this incredible facility achieve its objectives for energy efficient lighting and become a showcase of sustainable design and operations,” said Roy Burton, Dialight’s Group Chief Executive. “With 200+ Dialight LED fixtures already installed, we look forward to working on future retrofit upgrades throughout the venue and surrounding campus areas.”