LEDs for Skywalk at Birmingham NEC
The NEC in Birmingham has completely refitted its Skywalk with award-winning LED lighting to improve the visitor experience while saving energy and lowering carbon emissions.
The NEC asked experts at lighting specialists to devise a bespoke solution for the Skywalk that would reduce energy bills whilst improving light quality.
MHA Lighting installed 144 TiLites in the Concourse and Gallery Suites and 260 bespoke RodLites above the 400m long Skywalk that were designed to be match the NEC’s corporate branding and to be in-keeping with lighting finishes in other areas. The 30watt RodLites replaced 54watt T8 Tubes (58-60watts with ballast) – immediately creating energy savings of 50%. As the lights are on continuously software was installed that uses sensors to detect when the Skywalk area is empty and dims the RodLites to just 10%.
With these intelligent controls more than 70% energy savings have been achieved.
Andrew Cope, project engineer at the NEC, said: “As an organisation the NEC has committed to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. Lighting is a massive part of us achieving this target.
“We definitely found the best solution in terms of budget, energy reduction targets and overall lighting effect with LED Lighting. The light colour, output and uniformity is tremendous and all in all I believe we have the right light solution for the NEC.”
“We have only had positive comments from customers and NEC staff alike about the new lighting, - particularly about the Skywalk.”