New light on environmental issues

State-of-the-art technologies increase the efficiency and ensure a longer service life of products, thereby contributing to the reduction of energy needed to power them, and elimination of elements that negatively affect the natural environment. The use of LED lamps, in addition to reducing electricity consumption, eliminates the emission of heat. They can now safely be used as a replacement for traditional mercury lamps, as well as fluorescent or incandescent lamps.

The project included the replacement of 157 outdoor lighting fittings in the open-air car park, and 1,239 indoor lighting fittings in the multi-level garage. The LED lamps installed are equivalent to the previously used light sources, and their service life ranges from thirty to fifty thousand hours of continuous operation, depending on the type of replacements selected. In addition, the multi-level garage is fitted with a central lighting management system, which allows for rational management of energy supplied to the system. The system can be used to control lighting depending on the needs of car park users.

It is estimated that the new lighting will contribute to a reduction in electricity consumption by 425.36 MWh/year, which is approx. 60% of the power needed to illuminate the same space previously. The project also brings another unquestionable advantage: as the new lamps generate little thermal energy, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere will be reduced by approx. 339.44 Mg/year. Unlike the formerly use type of lighting, LED lamps are safe for their users and the natural environment. They contain no toxic heavy metals or mercury, and recyclability is their another advantage. With responsible management of hazardous waste in mind, the contractor was obligated in the contract to dispose of the disassembled fluorescent gas lamps (almost 1,400 units), and to submit relevant documents as evidence.

The project “Improving energy efficiency by replacing lighting in Kraków Airport car parks with energy-efficient LED lighting” was carried out with funds obtained from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment for 2014-2020. The total cost of the project was PLN 340,322.55, of which the NFEPWM funding totalled PLN 267,703.13. The project was delivered by NEOXIM sp. z o.o. from Warsaw.