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Client : Network RailSector : TransportProject : LED Lighting at London’s Victoria Station

One of the largest electricity users in the UK, Network Rail is looking to maximise sustainability and cost-efficiency in its Rail Technical Strategy over the next 30 years. Minimise Energy has a track record in developing products for Network Rail – such as bespoke monitoring software – and sowas asked to provide an LED lighting solution at Victoria Station. With numerous projects on-going, Minimise Energy continues to help Network Rail on its journey.

The briefDuring refurbishment at the end of 2013, Network Rail had replaced old fluorescent lighting with high-efficiency 35W T5 fluorescent tubes on platforms 9-19. Energy savings were made, but the new lighting was putting a strain on the emergency back-up UPS system, and, although within regulation, did not match the previous lux levels on the platforms. Network Rail felt that it had ‘missed an opportunity’ in not using LEDs, so set about finding a T5 LED replacement that could solve the problems and still meet a strict set of criteria. It had to be capable of retrofitting into the relatively new existing fittings, and be compatible with the UPS system. It had to increase the lux levels right up to the platform edge, without causing glare, and be in operation 24/7. At the same time, it had to use less electricity in order to expand the capacity of the emergency back-up lighting to more than three hours for public safety reasons.

Minimise responseAfter survey and trials at the far end of one of the platforms, Minimise Energy demonstrated that 25W T5 LED tubes at 4,000 kelvin (cool white) would best meet all of Network Rail’s requirements. Following installation, the results were so surprising to the Network Rail team that they measured and re-measured the kilowatt savings to be certain for themselves. The energy reduction of 50% achieved by Minimise Energy had doubled the capacity of the emergency back-up to six hours – yet increased the lux levels by 10%.

Key benefits• Massive maintenance savings. With

its traditional fluorescents, Network Rail replaces every single lamp once a year on its managed stations

• Instant aesthetic impact, making the platforms appear brighter

• Reduced maintenance needs lessen safety risk to travelling public and staff

• Improved visibility on monitors for staff on driver-only operated trains

• Increased capacity of emergency lighting system

• Improved colour rendition on CCTV for security purposes

• 5-year warranty

Case Study: Network Rail

“My team measured it three times because I wasn’t expecting that much of a saving. To save another 50% was a bit of a shock to us”Terry Denyer, Senior Asset Engineer (Building Services), Network Rail

*Mea

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Net

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50% energysaved*

Carbon reduction197 tCO2

per year

376,521kWh

Part of APC Technology Group plc

The project in detailThe LED refurbishment on platforms 9-19 at Victoria Station is Network Rail’s first major retrofit LED installation. (Minimise Energy had already provided LED lighting at Chatham and Gravesend stations on a smaller scale.) Indeed, it was only 18 months ago that Network Rail’s Senior Asset Engineer for Building Services, Terry Denyer, “drilled down” the guidelines for where and how LED could be used in the organisation and, more importantly, the strict quality standards to which each LED product would have to comply.

Confidence in the quality of any product is vital for Network Rail, since risk management and health and safety are inevitably governing factors in protecting the travelling public. Platforms 9-19 at Victoria are actually under the ground, although passengers are probably not aware of it, which is why the capacity of emergency back-up lighting is so crucial. Similarly, uniformity of light and lux levels at the platform edge (or ‘PTI’ – passenger train interface – in railspeak) are paramount in ensuring travellers can see any gaps onto the rails below. One unforeseen bonus of LED was the improved colour rendition to camera monitors, which drivers of ‘DOO’ (driver-operated only) trains use to see behind them down the length of the platform before leaving a station. The clean, white light of LED gives the drivers a much clearer view on their monitors, and has also had the same effect for station management using CCTV.

Network Rail was also pleased with the ambience created by cool white LEDs on the white walls of the station, which Minimise Energy achieved with 4,000 kelvin, 25W T5 tubes without causing problems of glare on the train drivers’ eyes. At survey stage, Minimise Energy had also identified ‘dark spots’ on platforms 15 and 16 that had not been addressed during the original T5 fluorescent refurbishment design because the ceilings were too low for surface-mounted fittings. These were resolved with products from Minimise Energy’s panel range – low-profile, recessed-fitting models, which are ideal when ceiling heights are an issue.

As a solutions company, Minimise Energy has been working closely with Network Rail to solve problems that cannot be met off-the-shelf: from specially designed panels at East Croydon to lamps for obsolete heritage-approved ‘egg’ lights at Victoria. “What I am asking for is very complicated”, admits Terry Denyer, as any attempts to introduce innovation and energy efficiency have to be balanced against risk, and adhere to all the layers of regulation from bodies such as the Rail Safety Standards Board. Next on the timetable are remaining platforms at Victoria, other central London stations, and some very exciting technological developments coming down the track.

Products used• T5 LED tubes (25 watts)

• Low-profile, recessed panel lights (30 watts)

T5 LED tubes create a brighter, more modern environment for passengers

LED panels improve the lux levels right up to the platform edge

Minimise helps reduce energy consumption and maximise profitability through a wide range of energy efficiency products and services, consultative advice and financing options.

For more information and to find out how we can help your business, call +44 (0) 330 313 3220 or visit www.minimisegroup.com

Case Study: Network Rail

Minimise Energy, 6 Stirling Park, Laker Road, Rochester Airport Estate, Rochester, Kent ME1 3QR+44 (0) 330 313 3220 • info@minimiseenergy.comwww.minimisegroup.com

“I jokingly refer to Minimise as our ‘little elves’ because we don’t have a research and development department. I use their expertise there. I say, this is what I need to solve, can you do it for me?”Terry Denyer, Senior Asset Engineer (Building Services), Network Rail