Major German brewery counts on LED technology to contribute to its environmental protection initiative

Environmental protection has always been of prominent importance for the Munich-based, worldwide renowned Paulaner Brewery Group. Its well-proven environmental management system documents according to DIN ISO 14001 how the balance for eco-friendliness is being permanently improved and makes these measures visible. Every year objectives and projects to reduce energy and water consumption are defined. Although lighting only contributes to a smaller portion to the overall energy consumption of the Paulaner Group, it strives for reducing CO2 emission in that area and increasingly relies on the use of energy efficient LED lighting fixtures.

The current project
The 8 m high and 120 m long covered truck driveway is newly equipped with 14 downlight fixtures for 400W HID lamps with an on-time of approximately 2000 hours per year. The department manager for electrical equipment, Harald Zeiller, describes the issue: “We could not switch the fixtures on and off on demand since the metal halide lamps need to cool down for approximately ten minutes before you can turn them on again. And then it takes almost the same amount of time until they have regained their full intensity. Furthermore, the maintenance costs haven’t been insignificant.” They
looked for a powerful, energy-saving and low maintenance lighting system that in addition increases the quality of light in the driveway and thereby the safety for pedestrians.

The LED High Bay as a problem solver
Mr. Zeiller opted for the LED High Bay fixtures. “Besides the mere technical data and the saving potential I was especially impressed by the five year manufacturer warranty,” he says. “Also important to me were the easy mounting and the special design of the cooling fins which makes it very unlikely that the inevitable deposit of diesel exhaust particulate will significantly compromise the cooling function.”

Impressive energy savings
The LED High Bay fixtures have been combined with a newly installed EIB bus system and are switched on and off in groups controlled by light sensors. This results in further 30% energy saving, in addition to the already greatly reduced system power consumption of 2.4 kW compared to the former 6.2 kW, which has been realized solely by switching to LED technology. Thus a further contribution to achieving the environmental goals for 2011 has been made.

Increased safety by improved lighting
“The new light is of a completely different quality, it provides better contrast and is more brilliant”, Mr. Zeiller comments. And to increase the safety for the pedestrians walking through the driveway he has even invested in two more fixtures. Altogether the team at Paulaner is very satisfied with the new LED lighting. Harald Zeiller: ”From sampling to shipping everything went quickly and hassle-free, and if the quality furthermore holds what LEDs promises, there is by all means an opportunity for further installations.”