Acting Green

THE RIGHT LIGHTING WITH LESS ENERGY

One word says it all. Energy. The most significant impact of a luminaire on the environment lies in its operating phase and, more specifically, in the energy consumed. Energy is indeed therefore the key factor on which action must be taken. Less energy for more performance, it is here that Schréder has decided to focus its efforts.

Schréder has always been a forerunner in optimising reflectors. Today, we talk about high-performance multi-layer reflectors. These HiR^® reflectors have a 95% reflective coefficient. The luminance can increase by up to 15% compared with anodised reflectors.

Schréder has further optimised this process with its HiR²^® reflectors. The objective is clear: to optimise the control of energy costs.

For our LED Generation luminaires, we have developed powerful photometric engines that provide the best possible performances from LEDs. 

Schréder invented the Sealsafe^® system, a reference in lighting. Sealsafe^® guarantees the long-term cleanliness of the optical compartment and consequently maintains the photometric performance over time.
This concept has been applied to our new LED luminaires with LEDSafe^® which completely seals the photometric engine, preventing water and dust ingress. 
It is therefore no longer necessary to considerably increase the power of the light sources to overcome light loss over time. This feature acts on both energy savings and costs. 

Sealsafe^® combined with a self-cleaning glass protector such as on the Furyo makes it possible to achive a maintenance factor close to 1, a sources of energy savings.

Compact luminaires combined with miniaturised reflectors make it possible to reduce the volume of materials necessary for manufacturing. Research has enabled Schréder to reduce the thickness of the luminaire casings while maintaining their robustness.
Schréder is also committed to using sustainable or recyclable materials as often as possible.

Incorporating electronics into a luminaire makes it possible to reduce energy losses generated by the control gear. Since thermal management is an issue, we have opted  for separation of the electronic components and the light source in order to optimise the removal of heat and therefore extend the lifetime of the electronics.
Electronics also offer the possibility of remote management. Individual luminaires can be managed remotely to make full use of their operating parameters. It is possible to precisely configure the amount of light required in any given situation by controlling the energy used. 
 

Our on-going research and considerations of the environmental impact of our luminaires also lead us to launch the Green Light Label.
We established objective criteria in four areas: energy, light pollution, materials and production. Each product has been evaluated in each of its configurations such as the type of lamp, power, protector, etc. A product receives the Green Light Label if it satisfies at least 8 of the 16 criteria, 6 of which are compulsory.

Jerôme Dehon is a Lighting Applications Project Manager within the Schréder Group.
He participated in establishing the criteria for this label.

The first mandatory criterion for obtaining Schréder’s green label is energy savings. How do you determine if a luminaire really controls its energy consumption?
We began by distinguishing street lighting from urban lighting. In fact, in street lighting, the energy efficiency of a luminaire can be determined according to rational criteria. It is a question of lighting a road so that a user, driver or pedestrian may travel at night in complete safety.
In an urban environment, it is more complex. Lighting is not limited to making people feel safe.
To measure the energy saving character of an urban lighting luminaire, a DLOR of a minimum of 55% was established - the percentage of the total flux emitted below the horizontal of the lamp, so towards the street. By way of an example, opal sphere luminaires exhibit a DLOR of only 25%. Equipped with louvres, they achieve 35%. In indirect lighting, an excellent luminaire reaches 40%.

In street lighting, how did you develop the criterion relating to energy savings?
In street lighting, we calculate the energy efficiency coefficient. Here, the luminance, that is to say the light reflected by the road surface as it is perceived by the user, is the most important factor for us. Unlike illuminance which represents the quantity of light that is received by the road surface, luminance therefore depends on the type of road surface.
It is luminance that constitutes the key criterion in the design of a street lighting installation.
The energy efficiency coefficient determines the relationship between the necessary energy used and the average luminance required on a section of road. It is expressed in watts/m² / candela/m². The maximum being 0.8W/m² / cd/m² to meet the energy efficiency criterion needed to obtain the “green lighting” label.
We established the energy efficiency coefficient for each luminaire and for each of its possible configurations. That is to say, the types of lamp and power that can be incorporated, and the different reflectors and protectors. This was also done for different street configurations (number and width of traffic lanes, height of the poles, etc.)

Once the required luminance level has been achieved, it is necessary to ensure that it is maintained over time?
Absolutely. It is because of this that we specify the maintained luminance level in our equation. Our calculation of a luminaire’s energy efficiency coefficient takes this into account.
The power used to produce a luminance level directly depends on a luminaire’s maintenance factor, resulting from its mechanical quality. The performance of a luminaire can decrease over time due to the ageing of the lamp, optics or protector, as well as if they become dirty. A maintained tightness level, a maintained transparency quality and good resistance to ageing will guarantee that the maintenance factor is close to 1. The closer it is to 1, the less energy is needed to maintain a given level throughout the lifetime of a luminaire.
But the flux of the lamp is also going to diminish over time. This varies very considerably from one type of source to another. Let’s look at two examples.
A high-pressure sodium lamp only loses - on average - 5% of its flux during its whole lifetime which can be estimated at 16,000 hours, that is to say 4 years of use.
A standard metal halide lamp loses 30 to 40% of its flux during 2 years of its estimated lifetime.
There is therefore an enormous difference between these two sources!
All of this information is taken into account when calculating the required luminance level and therefore the energy efficiency coefficient.

Alongside the continuous search for energy efficiency, the Schréder companies worldwide are also seeking to optimise the other factors that include our production, distribution and recycling methods of our luminaires.

Since 2005, Comatelec, the member company of the Schréder Group in France, has for example, committed itself to adopting a global initiative within its manufacturing unit.

Florence Rogaume, Environmental Manager, the conductor of this mission, explains why.

How was this process, this environmental initiative put in place?
Initially, we wanted to obtain the ISO 14001 certification. We launched this process in 2006 and the certification was awarded in July 2007.
The first step consisted of establishing a dashboard in order to determine the points of reference for the future. We then developed a genuine environmental policy that is structured around 4 areas:
• reducing energy consumption and water consumption
• preserving natural resources through the reduction of waste in general
• monitoring environmental developments in order to identify our legal obligations, the demands of our customers as well as social demands and conforming to them
• involving our suppliers and other parties interested in our policy.

In practice, who was affected and what types of actions have been carried out?
The entire staff is involved and affected within the context of their activities. We organised information meetings to explain the ISO 14001 process, the stakes, etc. The good practices that we have put in place go well beyond manufacturing. Even the office staff are affected. This ranges from the proper user of toilets and lighting to putting computers on standby or even having the reflex to report all water, gas or air leaks.
All possibilities of limiting our environmental impact have been pursued. We have even distributed a cartoon strip that features all of the good practices in the company in order to communicate the message in a more fun way. As regards manufacturing, we have installed a monitoring and control system for all chemical products and hazardous or non-hazardous waste. We have completely removed polystyrene and reduced petroleum-based packaging.

Have you also sought to raise the awareness of your suppliers?
More than raising their awareness! They have been fully involved in the process from the start. Our purchasing department has defined a strict policy for the integration of environmental criteria when rating suppliers. This concerns for example the packaging instructions, the recycling of our powders, etc.

Schréder Iluminação in Portugal has also implemented an action plan that covers all the aspects of a company’s daily life such as manufacturing, development, sales policy and relationships with suppliers.

Fernando Gonçalves talks about the importance of sustainability when designing new products. 

How does the concern for sustainable development express itself in the mechanical design of the luminaires?
It is fundamental for us to be aware of the importance of the complete lifecycle of the luminaires, from the concept phase until the end of the productive life of a product. The materials, whether high-quality, durable, easily recyclable or renewable materials, must be manufactured according to energy efficient technological processes. Finally, it is necessary to think about minimising the quantity of material used, without of course neglecting robustness.
For luminaires, our first choice is to select aluminium and glass. We see to it that only top quality electrical components are incorporated.

The sustainable approach is also encouraged by the sales teams. Because, of its local proximity to customers, Schréder in Portugal, as in any other part of the world, is in a position to propose solutions that optimise energy consumption. 85% of what is sold in Portugal is produced locally.

Paulo Anastácio is the Purchasing Manager. He sees to it that the suppliers are involved in the environmentally-friendly process put in place by Schréder Iluminação.

How do environmental concerns express themselves in your daily life and what have been the reactions of suppliers to these new requirements?
Our department’s awareness goes back to a time well before our certification. We sought to involve our suppliers very early on so that they no longer use banned substances in the products that they manufacture. Subsequently, we got involved in environmental standards. An example: the Community REACH regulations oblige suppliers of chemical products to comply with a series of standards. We asked them for a written commitment to comply with these regulations.

Schréder employees have adopted a green attitude. This is reflected in our everyday behaviour. Turning off the lights, reusing paper, not leaving water running...
These are simple actions that contribute to substantial savings.

 Christine San Jose - Assembly Manager

“In my work, I make sure, for the lines under my responsibility, that the rubbish is sorted properly, that the products are tidied away in the containers at the end of the day and that all of the electrical equipment is properly switched off. Generally speaking the operators respect these instructions; these actions are fully integrated into their daily work.
I use paper that is “to be recycled” which I did not do before this process. I also take more care at home to not be wasteful and I ask my children to do the same.”

Henri Lescour, Powder Paint Coater

“I work in a sector that is particularly affected by the environmental process. We use chemical products and therefore, I take care when I use them so as not to spill any on the ground and when storing them because some products cannot be stored together. I also make sure not to leave the light on when it is not needed. I also take more care at home, particularly with water consumption, sorting rubbish and turning off lights. I think that everything that is done in the company and at home is important for the future of our children.”