SmartWatt Energy has enabled NOR-AM Cold Storage Logistics to meet their energy efficiency requirements by conserving 218,761 kW-h of energy, following a LED lighting retrofit at their facility in Schuyler, NE.
Cornhusker Power Information and Marketing Director Karen Schlautman (left) and CEO/GM Clay Gibbs (right) present a $24,016.08 rebate check to NOR-AM Cold Storage Logistics Plant Manager David Johnson
On February 28, 2012, executives from Cornhusker Public Power District were at NOR-AM to grant an incentive cheque of $24,016.08 for LED lighting upgrades. The EnergyWise program conducted by Cornhusker Power in association with its power supplier, Nebraska Public Power District contributed to the financial support.
After conducting a comprehensive energy audit (DEA) at the facility, the engineering team at SmartWatt Energy devised the upgrade procedure that entails retrofitting 109 lights to LEDs, as most of the lights were of metal halides. The lights were complemented with occupancy sensors that contributed to more energy conservation. LED lighting technology when deployed in a facility, generates very little heat, and therefore effective for cold storage facilities where it produces ‘coincidence cooling’.
The Marketing Director for Cornhusker Public Power District, Karen Schlautman said that it focuses on improving the efficiency of its customers. The developments made in the lighting technologies over the past 10 years will enable the reduction of lighting costs by up to 30% to 60%, besides reducing environmental impacts and improving lighting quality.
As per the EPA estimates, the SmartWatt Energy-designed energy savings solution for NOR-AM Cold Storage Logistics is expected to conserve 151 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the annual consumption of carbon by 32.2 acres of pine forests.