The war in Ukraine has intensified and accelerated the energy crisis in Europe. The Mayor of Berlin, Franziska Giffey, has advocated switching off the night-time lighting of public buildings. French Energy Transition Minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, has introduced legislation that requires companies to turn off light advertising between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. What others city officials, and private investors in commercial buildings may say aobut this? Is darkness the only solution? They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and it so happens that energy is desperately needed right now.

Blackout

Egyptian darkness 4,000 years later

Are we facing a blackout? Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE) assures that the National Power System is operating with stability and an adequate reserve in generating units is maintained. Energy, therefore, should not be in short supply. Specialists in the lighting industry also approach the subject with calmness and reserve.

"I wouldn't look around for a jar and catching skylights. I think we should develop an alternative methodes of oprations to limit the effects of globalization and strive to become independent of a single supplier not only of raw materials, but also of technology." - comments Jerzy Trześniowski, owner of OSET design office specializing in electrical installations

"The lighting energy demand for an example hospitality industry building, is about 20% of the total resources consumed. I don't see a real threat that the light sector will suffer the most from the ongoing crisis. In my opinion, the greater danger is on the horizon for the thermal power or refrigeration sector" - adds Pawel Boryś, Business Development Manager at TRILUX Poland.

Light is the new gold of the 21st century

The energy crisis and the electricity prices related to it are strongly convincing businesses to upgrade their existing energy sources. The industry and retail sectors in particular are suffering from the cost of energy, which is literally escaping them through inefficient and energy-consuming lighting systems.

"A recent TCO calculation of our installation in a furniture manufacturing company, showed that immediately after the upgrade we are reducing energy demand by 87%. Using E-Line Next LED, Mirona FIT, Oleveon FIT fixtures, allows us generating savings of PLN 1.6 million over 10 years. At current energy prices, the investment pays for itself in 2 years - presents the real savings Paweł Boryś - also local governments see that the game is worth the candle and more and more of them are organizing tenders for the modernization of city lighting, which would significantly reduce the costs associated with the energy consumed to illuminate outdoor spaces at night - the savings range from 30-40%."

The light side of the force facing a crisis

Out of concern not only for our own wallets, but also for the planet, we should approach the subject of energy efficiency in two ways. High-performance LED products should be the base of modernization. Optimal savings are offered by combining them with lighting management systems that give another real reduction in energy consumption. The premier system of this kind in TRILUX, dedicated to large indoor solutions in the retail or industry sectors, is Live Link Premium.

How does this look in practice? "Let's take the example of one of the hypermarkets. Lighting during the store's opening hours, between 6 A.M. and 10 P.M., operates at 100%. Then, from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M., the stocking section comes in and the fixtures continue to operate at full power. What can we achieve with the Live Link Premium? We set the intensity parameters of the luminaires between 6 A.M. and 10 P.M. to 80% of maximum power - and here we already have 20% savings. During cleaning or merchandising, we reduce the parameters to 20-30%."- shows the possibilities of the management systems, TRILUX specialist Pawel Boryś.