Brand new technology and an international partnership has led to a pilot project that is flooding a Township of Langley softball field with light while protecting the environment and cutting costs.
For one of the first times in North America, high output LED 600W floodlights have been used to provide nighttime lighting in a sports field. Philip Jackman Park at 32 Avenue and 271 Street in Aldergrove has been outfitted with new fixtures that will reduce power consumption by 40 per cent while still providing the brightness required to play in the dark.
The new floodlights have been in use since mid-May, and on the evening of June 19 an official lighting ceremony was held by the Township and the Korean partners who developed the technology and made the project possible.
“Part of Langley Township’s Economic Development vision is to encourage and facilitate partnerships with businesses around the world and to find ways of enhancing the Township of Langley’s international business opportunities,” said Mayor Jack Froese. “It really is exciting to see these kind of partnerships happening – especially when they yield such valuable results. Tonight we are celebrating new technology that will greatly benefit our local sport user groups, protect the environment, and enhance Langley Township’s cost savings.”
The LED floodlights were developed by Korea’s Yuyang Dnu Co. Ltd. According to the company, if used for four hours each day for 10 years, the total power savings generated by the LED lights will be more than 152 million watts – the equivalent of what is used by 50 households in one year.
As well, the fixtures’ durability and long lifespan of 50,000 hours – which provides an estimated 40 years of use – means fewer replacement costs for the Township.
“The lower power consumption means the LED lights will be less costly and better for the environment, but still offer the lighting levels traditionally obtained from standard metal halide lights,” said Al Neufeld, Langley Township’s Manager of Parks Design and Development.
The project was completed with support from the Korea Trade & Investment Promotion Agency’s (KOTRA) World Champ Project. KOTRA represents the commercial section of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea and World Champ is a program designed to attract global attention to medium sized Korean companies.
The Township of Langley had previously worked with KOTRA to supply LEDs for streetlights in Murrayville. While traditionally LED lights appear dimmer, there has been no noticable difference between the standard lighting and the new LED bulbs.
With Yuyang Dnu’s development of LED floodlights bright enough to light fields, KOTRA was looking for an opportunity to showcase the technology and demonstrate the new product. The floodlights at Philip Jackman Park had reached the end of their lifespan and needed replacing, Neufeld said, and a partnership was formed.
The lights were purchased at a subsidized cost and engineers and representatives from Yuyang Dnu travelled to the Township to assist with the installation. The floodlights at Philip Jackman Park have been tested, adjusted, and put in the best position to illuminate the playing field.