Metal Halide Retrofit Lamp Trial
South Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC)
ENERGY EFFICIENT STREET LIGHTING CASE STUDY
Context
The project undertaken was a trial of a new metal halide retrofit lamp technology suitable for use in existing mercury vapour luminaires found on main roads without the need to change any other components in the luminaire.
The on-going trial was installed in February 2005 on the busy commercial strip of Enmore Road in Newtown. The parties undertaking the trial were EnergyAustralia, Marrickville Council and the Street Lighting Improvement Program.
The purpose in staging the trial was to demonstrate that new metal halide lamps could achieve high reliability levels while delivering improved energy efficiency and quality of light.
Implementation
EnergyAustralia implemented the project on behalf of Marrickville Council and the other 28 councils in the Street Lighting Improvement Program (SLI Program). SLI Program initiated the proposal following discussions with Eye Lighting (the Australian distributor of Iwasaki lamps). Consulting firm Next Energy was the program manager of the SLI Program.
Seventeen luminaires on Enmore Road Newtown containing 250W mercury vapour lamps were replaced in February 2005 with 250W metal halide retrofit lamps manufactured by Iwasaki (Eye Multi Super Ace MF250LE/U).
The project hardware was donated by Eye Lighting. The installation labour was provided without charge to council by EnergyAustralia and time of the SLI Program personnel to facilitate the trial was provided in kind.
To February 2006, there had been no identified failures or other technical issues reported with the lamps. EnergyAustralia crews reported no difficulties with the installation of the retrofit lamps.
Compliance with Australian Standard
The existing luminaire locations and heights were selected many decades ago and were not altered in this trial. The design would have been to previous versions of AS1158 or its predecessors. As the new lamps produce approximately 50% more light, it is highly likely that improved compliance outcomes were achieved although compliance calculations have not been undertaken at this stage.
Benefits
Quality
A metal halide retrofit lamp technology for mercury vapour luminaires has the potential to offer councils substantially improved lighting in many high profile commercial and entertainment precinct and areas at risk of crime with minimal capital cost, disruption or delay. Colour rendition, colour stability, lumen output and energy efficiency (in terms of lumens/Watt) would all be substantially improved with retrofit metal halide lighting compared to existing mercury vapour lighting.
Environmental
In greenhouse terms, there is a compelling efficiency case. 250W metal halide lamps deliver initial lumen output of 20,000 lumens (80 lumens/Watt) compared to 250W mercury vapour lamps with initial lumen output of 13,000 lumens (52 lumens/Watt). In short, the metal halide lighting used delivers approximately 50% more light and a higher quality of light (see item d below) for the same energy. Not only is this a more efficient use of energy but, where upgrades are needed, it potentially avoids the installation of additional lighting.
Financial
The list cost of the lamps was $90.82. This compares favourably with both the capital cost of a new luminaire (several hundred dollars) or having to add an additional light (potentially several thousand dollars if a new pole is required).
Risk reduction issues
Metal halide, because of its superior colour rendition, is strongly favoured in higher risk areas by law enforcement authorities. It is also one of the only types of lighting suitable for use with CCTV. By bypassing the need for electronic control gear, lamps that can be used with conventional mercury vapour gear have the potential to negate some of the technology risks that utilities experience with metal halide lighting.
Lessons learnt
Metal halide can be both a reliable and effective lighting technology.
Future plans
Councils are currently discussing future metal halide lighting options with EnergyAustralia to address the needs identified above.
Contacts
Graham Mawer
SLI Program Manager
Next Energy
Level 12-220 George Street
Email: gmawer@nextenergy.com.au
Web: www.ssroc.nsw.gov.au/projectsissues/streetlighting.cfm
Phone: 02 9251 4072
Fax: 02 9247 5103
Related information
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