Local Government Case Study

Background

Parramatta Council commissioned an independent Level 2 energy audit from Environ Australia, to understand in more detail the energy consumption at its four multi- level carparks, of which three were in Council’s top ten energy using sites.

From left: Wentworth St, Hunter St Car parks & Council Administration building

Traditional fluorescent lighting with simple on/off switches were the principal source of the car parks’ energy consumption, and lights were frequently left on after closure. At one car park, the energy efficiency activities included installing a CBUS control system with motion and light sensors, which delivered 33% energy savings without any change of lights. At another car park, a combination of control systems, sensors, and T8 fluorescent lights were replaced with T5s, delivering over 50% lighting energy savings.

In the Council administration building fire stair, the emergency lighting consisted of one T8 and one T5, as twin T5s could not operate as emergency lighting.

Chamaeleon retrofit project scope

Electrical contractor Argyle Electrical Contractors Pty Ltd proposed the Chamaeleon LED light for the car parks during the lighting upgrade.

Council had previously been notified of the award winning light by its Australian manufacturer, Enlighten Australia, and analysed the project payback calculations before adding the lights to the scope of works.

Single ceiling mounted 10 chip emergency Chamaeleon lights were installed in the fire stairs, replacing twin 36watt T8 fluorescent tube fittings, operating 24/7 without controls A total of 173 lights were installed across the 4 car parks in the car park fire stair areas.

Project results

 

Chamaeleon light in full light output (left); standby mode (right)in Hunter St Car park

The overall project lighting energy savings were 88%, representing a 4.1 year payback. The payback figure calculation was inclusive of product supply and installation costs & exclusive of the maintenance savings and the value of potential Energy Savings Certificates generated by the project.

The energy savings are delivered by the Chamaeleon light’s patented dual circuit design. This enables the light to operate on a standby mode, drawing 7-9 watts, whilst the area is unoccupied, increasing to full light output (28-32 watts) once a presence is detected via an inbuilt microwave occupancy sensor. The Chamaeleon’s adjustable inbuilt microwave sensor settings allow for flexibility in timing and proximity to suit the area of use.