Campus lights the way to energy sustainability

Brighter, better-quality light has been brought to buildings all over the UC Berkeley campus, along with lights that turn on only when someone enters a room. Wireless lighting control systems were installed in Doe Library and Moffitt Library to automatically turn lights on and off with the libraries’ opening and closing. And the 1,000 exterior light posts on campus were converted from metal halide lighting to energy-efficient LED lighting.

These lighting initiatives — and more — have resulted in about 10,000,000 kilowatt-hours of energy savings per year or about $1 million per year in costs since 2006, according to Raul Abesamis, who along with Jeffrey Kessel are the energy engineering and conservation specialists in Facilities Services who have helped lead the work along with the campus Office of Sustainability.

The work continues. “Lighting in the future will most likely focus on making lighting more granular, providing proper levels of lighting in areas where it is needed, when it is needed,” Abesamis said. “This can be achieved by expanding lighting controls technology in our buildings and grounds, as mandated by the state.”

The full story can be read on the website of the Office of Sustainability.