Press Release
September 20, 2006
For Release: Immediate
Press Contact:
Allen james
716.278.1764
New Rapids Lighting Creates Better Quality & Saves Money
(Niagara Falls, NY, September 20, 2006...) New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announces the completion of the installation of a new energy efficient and higher quality rapids lighting project. State Parks worked with the New York Power Authority, which supplied the new lighting technologies and leading lighting experts on the $250,000 project that will produce savings in excess of $60,000 per year in electricity, bulb replacement and maintenance costs. State Parks engineering staff worked with lighting experts at ARC Lighting and Total Lighting Concepts to use the latest lighting technology available to advance this effort.
The solution focused on using lower wattage HID lamps to decrease energy and maintenance costs while providing a higher level of controlled lighting. Precision parabolic reflectors allowed the team to direct the light output with greater accuracy reducing light pollution due to extraneous glare.
For the project they used 150 watt and 250 watt Metal Halide lamps in lieu of the 1000 watt lamps previously used. The resulting light levels were maintained using a range of parabolic reflectors such that the output on a 150 watt lamp resulted in a 2 degree beam angle at 1,200,000 candela and a 250 watt lamp resulted in a 5 degree beam at 450,000 candela. In essence the light output from the 150 watt lamps equaled that of the 1000 watt lamps previously used.
The 1000 watt lamps used previously were costly to maintain and created a wider beam resulting in light pollution on the Goat Island side. The objective of the new system was to not only create a spectacular result but to decrease operating costs and negative impacts on the opposite shoreline.
The lamp life of the 1000 watt lamps is 3500 hours whereas the lamp life of the 150 watt lamps is 6000 hours plus the cost for each lamp is reduced by a factor of ten. The 250 watt lamps used create a wider beam used on sections with foaming water have a life rating of 15,000 hours with a similar costs savings as the 150 watt lamps.
The rapids has a series of fixtures located in the railing and in freestanding pedestals where any change in lighting equipment had to be made without altering the existing pedestals. ARC created a custom retrofit that was easy to install and did not modify the existing pedestals.
Finally, the artistic improvement to the rapids project is the preverbal icing on the cake as each section of rapids is now a photo opportunity or what could be called "Postcards". As visitors stroll along the walkway each section of rapids becomes a pallet of sounds and a constantly changing flow of water. A perfect way to unwind, reflect and clear your head. The Niagara Rapids project has created more than just a savings in money it has created a celebration of life as we all flow through the rapids of life.
NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives for publicly funded facilities across the Empire State. The Power Authority is a long time supporter of regional activities promoting the Niagara Rapids. Its nearby Niagara Power Project is the single largest source of clean hydropower in the state. NYPA is currently engaged in several projects with State Parks to extend their use of alternate fueled vehicles as a way to help protect the environment and preserve the natural splendor our recreational resources.
ARC Lighting was established in 1980 to solve challenging and unique lighting applications. Under the guidance of Mr. Jerry Plank, LC, MIES, ARC Lighting has concentrated its efforts on lighting prominent installations around the U.S.
Total Lighting Concepts, represented by Dan Suriani, is an independent lighting representative covering all of Upstate New York. They have been in business for over 40 years representing the premier lighting manufacturers in architectural, commercial, industrial, residential, indoor and outdoor lighting and controls.
In April 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected New York State Parks' Green Park initiative for its Clean Air Excellence Award in the Transportation Efficiency Innovations category. The rapids lighting project is an extension of the Green Park initiative to reduce energy use at State Parks.
Niagara Falls State Park has become the centerpiece in the Green Park initiative. With a diverse fleet of more than 70 alternate fuel vehicles, including natural gas trolleys that transport more than a quarter-million patrons annually, the growing fleet offers electric, hybrid and bio-diesel vehicles. In total, the Green Parks Program has acquired over 780 clean fuel vehicles statewide, and the replacement of vehicles in the Park is part of the effort to change how people are transported, improve air quality, and ultimately establish the Park as a center for alternate fuel technology.
In addition to Niagara Falls State Park, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 175 other state parks and 35 state historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas please call (518) 474-0456 or visit the web site at http://www.nysparks.com.
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