Associated British Ports (ABP) has equipped two UK ports and a rail freight terminal with smart technology (Telensa’s PLANet) to save on energy and improve the control of light levels in individual cargo handling compounds.
The smart system allows for deep levels of lighting control at each site by dividing each port into multiple zones and tailoring the lighting levels for each zone to reflect the activity taking place within it. Lighting can be changed in real-time, at any time, from any location and by any authorized person. Lights can be further controlled on an individual basis, in grouped zones or across the whole of the site. While each “port estate” team can manage their own illumination levels, data relating to energy usage, light status, carbon emissions and overall performance across the three estates is accessible to ABP staff.
At ABP Southampton—the UK’s number one vehicle handling port and Europe’s leading turnaround cruise-port—600 lights are connected. At ABP Ipswich—with 16,000 sq miles of covered warehousing, three aggregates terminals, bulk storage terminals and a container terminal for heavy-lift and project cargoes—300 lights are connected. And at ABP Hams Hall—the country’s busiest inland rail freight—100 lights are connected.
Andy Robertson of ABP Southampton’s Electrical Engineering Team, says the switch to smart lighting “has proved invaluable during the last 18 months where cargo volumes have fluctuated due to supply chain variability. We have been able to light individual zones…and make substantial energy savings of 15% by controlling the light output of compounds based on usage.”