Nextek Power Delivers 20% Increase in Energy Efficiency for Distribution Warehouse in Rochester, NY
The Situation
In 2004 William McDonough and Partners of Charlottesville, VA were hired to redesign a distribution center in Rochester, NY, including its out-dated lighting system. The facility covered 6,600 square feet of office space and another 33,000 square feet of warehouse. Nextek Power Systems supplied what was needed for the new, innovative lighting design including solar panels, power gateways and DC ballasts to assist in the creation of an integrated DC micro-grid.
The Solution
All of Nextek Power’s lighting systems are designed for maximum efficiency. Sources of light and power are prioritized to take maximum advantage of all available resources.
- Skylights are the first line of attack against wasteful energy practices. Why convert solar power to electricity to power the lighting if you can just let the light in?
- Solar panels supply power to the system only when daylight is insufficient.
- Occupancy sensors limit power use even further so that lighting is not wasted when no one is present.
- Solar power that is not needed can be sold back to the power company at a profit and when additional power is needed by the facility it can still tap into the grid.
This facility’s out-dated power system was replaced with Nextek Power’s high-efficiency, renewable-energy lighting system including:
- 35 NPS-1000 smart power routers
- 21kW of solar panels on the roof (SR2001 amorphous panels by Solar Integrated Technologies).
- 2.1kW of Sharp panels on a canopy in the office area
- 6 NPS-1000s power 198 T-8, four foot fluorescent lamps.
- 29 NPS-1000s power 158 6-lamp T-8 fixtures on the warehouse floor
The Savings
- The low voltage control capability of the DC ballasts enabled the control system to be installed without additional AC wiring.
- Roof-Integrated solar panels reduced installation costs, allowing the cost of the roof to be recovered in just five years!
- Solar panels combined with DC Ballasts generated power and eliminated significant inverter losses that improved energy efficiency in the lighting system by 20%
- Of the 25kW generated by the solar panels, 11.5 kW is not needed by the lighting system and is converted to AC to used elsewhere in the building or sold back to the utility company for a profit!*
- This warehouse facility has received the Gold rating by LEED standards.
Continuing Web Based Monitoring
The Nextek Web-based Data Collection and Monitoring system continues to identify opportunities to generate additional savings by providing a web-based display of weather, power generated and used, and by detecting burned-out lamps and sensors that are not operating properly.
*Note that the savings are based on utility costs of $0.10/kWh. Savings are significantly higher in areas where rates are higher. Usage reductions are during peak and reduce demand charges where applicable.
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