Despite new LED lighting, energy-saving light bulbs and motion sensors, millions of kilowatt hours are still wasted on lighting in many companies, municipalities and organisations. This statement is based on experience obtained by DONG Energy, Novozymes, Fredericia Kommune (the Municipality of Fredericia), Novo Nordisk and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen. Savings of as much as 75-90% of the energy consumption for lighting have been achieved.

The light is dimmed in a flash
A combination of advanced technology from the innovative Danish company Vanpée and Westergaard, and new control principles offer more dynamic lighting and large savings. The savings have among other things been obtained in parking garages, at a sports centre, in installations rooms, changing rooms and hallway areas. The demand-based and dynamic lighting is known from several European countries, but in Denmark, the system has yet to really take off.

"Standard motion sensors typically turn off the light in areas without activity after up to 20 minutes. With the new control methods which are more sensitive and have further reach, the light can be dimmed after only 30 seconds," says Søren Vontilius, who is a consultant with DONG Energy and an expert on lighting.

The lights are typically dimmed to 10% of the normal lighting level, hereby obtaining savings of more than 80% of the consumption. In areas where it is unsafe for the lights to be switched off, the lights are not dimmed beyond what is safe.

This is how much we have saved
At Novozymes, they have saved almost 100,000 kilowatt hours in less than a year by modernising the lighting in changing rooms and the enquiry office. This corresponds to the average annual consumption of 25 households . Novo Nordisk reduced the electricity bill by 150,000 kilowatt hours by changing the lighting in one production hall, and at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and DONG Energy, the savings are even greater. In five of DONG Energy's office buildings, eg in Gentofte and Hørsholm, we have saved 600,000 kilowatt hours following installation of the systems in parking garages and hallways.

Ready to roll out the new technology
"We're talking to several of our climate partners who are very interested in learning more about our experiences. We hope to be able to install the new technology and help our partners and customers as much as possible," says Allan Schefte, Market Director in DONG Energy.