AFSPC to install thousands of LED fixtures

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Elmore
  • AFCESA
Tyndall AFB, Fla. --  A 2007 suggestion to convert existing high intensity discharge lighting to new technology light emitting diode lights along roadways and in parking lots will soon become a reality across Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. and the Air Force Academy, Colo.
 
"It's been a long time coming," said Mr. Fox Theriault, AFSPC's energy analyst and LED project manager, "but we wanted to do it right."

Preliminary testing of several manufacturers' LED fixture types, sizes and styles began at Peterson AFB and Vandenberg AFB, Calif., as a pilot study with approval from the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Tyndall AFB, Fla. Early performance results for parking light applications revealed a greater than 50 percent reduction in energy usages as compared to HID lighting fixtures.

A cross-functional AFSPC team was put together to conduct market research, identify requirements and develop an implementation strategy while subject matter experts from AFCESA and the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, developed the technical specifications for the fixtures. The AFSPC team's overall goal was to reduce energy, while matching or improving existing illumination.

"The estimated savings were so impressive that the AFSPC commander at that time was ready to give us $10 million to replace all street and parking lot lights on all AFSPC bases with LED fixtures," said Mr. Tim Pugh, command energy/utility manager.
 
After consultation with Dr. Daryl Hammond, AFCESA subject matter expert, in 2009, AFSPC engineers decided to allow the rapidly developing technology more time to mature and ensure that design criteria and process were in place. The delay also gave the growing list of manufacturers time to establish markets and develop competitive edges.

"Testing, market research and industry clearly indicate that this new technology is ready for full implementation with great benefits," said Mr. Theriault.

"The projected energy savings equates to nearly one percent of AFSPC's energy consumption," said Mr. Pugh.

The new LED fixtures advertise 50,000 to 60,000-hour life expectancy, which is 2.5 to 3 times the life of the current HID fixtures, and improve lighting distribution. AFSPC plans to work together with base civil engineers to develop an effective installation plan to optimize installation timelines consistent with AFIT research so energy and maintenance savings can be realized. Lessons learned to decrease level of effort for related opportunities will be shared with other Air Force organizations.