RICHMOND, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vancouver International Airport (YVR) continues to be a leader in airport sustainability with the installation of a new state-of-the-art LED lighting system to its airfield leveraging incentives from BC Hydro. The new lighting system by Musco Lighting significantly reduces YVR’s power consumption, expands lighting coverage and increases safety for pilots, air traffic controllers and ground crews. This marks the first time an airport in North America is using an adaptive dimming system based upon gate usage.
“Our primary objective is to operate and maintain a safe, secure and sustainable airport. The new apron lighting system significantly reduces YVR’s energy consumption, while streamlining operations and improving safety with improved coverage, reduced glare and increased lighting levels. It’s a win-win situation,” said Don Ehrenholz, Vice President, Engineering, Vancouver Airport Authority. “We will continue to work collaboratively to find innovative ways to reduce energy consumption as we strive for environmental excellence.”
The LED lighting was retrofitted onto YVR’s existing structures, gives a more uniform distribution and features patented glare control technology so that high-quality light is applied only where needed and darkness is preserved where light is not intended. This improves operational efficiency by eliminating glare.
Musco’s LED solution is designed as a complete system, with lighting, structural components like custom support brackets and electrical components engineered to work together. The system was factory aimed, wired and tested. This ensures better performance, long-term reliability and trouble free operation at YVR. The system is backed by a long-term warranty that covers parts and labor, guaranteeing no additional costs for the next 10 years.
“Every lighting project is unique. Lighting airports brings a number of additional considerations, and at an airport with the size and scope of YVR, the challenges are even more extensive. So this has been a milestone project, and the team at YVR has been outstanding to work with,” said Jeff Rogers, Vice President of Musco Lighting. “When you see the quality of light, the uniform distribution, the virtual elimination of glare and the cut off preserving darkness around YVR, it’s really impressive.”
The new apron lighting is adaptive based on gate usage, meaning that lighting levels will increase and decrease based on the gate schedule in order to save power when not in use. It is expected to save 715,000 kWhrs/year, which is the equivalent of powering 72 residential households per year.
BC Hydro provided incentives for the project through its Industrial Energy Manager program which YVR has participated in for over ten years.
“We applaud YVR for their continuous commitment to demonstrating leadership in strategic energy management through innovative and collaborative projects and partnerships, like our Industrial Energy Manager program,” said Janet Fraser, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at BC Hydro. “We are pleased that the incentives we provided have contributed to a successful project that will enable YVR to save energy, operate efficiently, and increase safety at its facility.”
YVR's 2015-2019 Environmental Management Plan has four strategic priorities with corresponding goals, targets and baselines that influence the sustainable growth and development of YVR. These strategic priorities aim to: reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce waste; reduce potable water consumption; and improve ecosystem health. As part of this plan, YVR developed a long-term energy strategy that aims to reduce energy consumption and invest in alternative energy solutions.
About Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served 22.3 million passengers in 2016. Fifty-five airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 125 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation’s prestigious Airport of the Year Award and was voted Best Airport in North America for the eighth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2017. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2016 donated more than $1,000,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.
About Musco Lighting
Since 1976, Musco Lighting has specialized in the design and manufacture of sports and large area lighting solutions around the world. Musco has pioneered systems using metal halide and LED technologies that have made dramatic improvements in energy efficiency and provided affordable ways to control spill light and glare. Permanent and temporary lighting solutions range from neighborhood pitches to Olympic Games. Musco has a global team of experts that partner with customers to plan, complete, and maintain a cost-effective, trouble-free lighting solution for their facility. For more information, visit www.musco.com.
