Clapham Junction to cut energy consumption with ‘intelligent’ lighting

Clapham Junction will be the latest in a series of projects that has seen Network Rail and South West Trains introduce intelligent lighting controls.

Following an initial installation at Woking Station in 2010, the lighting control system has now been introduced at 25 stations and train maintenance depots across the Wessex Route.

Installing lighting control is one part of the South West Trains, Network Rail Alliance’s climate change and energy reduction strategy that is estimated to achieve total annual savings of £7m-£12m and a payback period of approximately six years.

Southwest Trains, Network Rail Alliance’s environment manager, Amy Dickinson, said: “Reducing our energy consumption is a challenging but crucial aspect of our business. Intelligent lighting has enabled us to save, on average, 20% at each location.

“An automatic control keeps it simple for us. It enables us to save as much energy as possible, by dimming down and turning off automatically when not in use. It also tracks usage, which helps us to spot any areas for improvement and understand how our buildings are being used,” she added.

The station will automatically be able to dim the lights down to a minimum value when the station is not in operation or switch the lights off when the station is completely closed. On average, this would amount to savings of 35% of usual lighting use.

Developed by Open Technology, the control system will provide the exact light levels required across the station, matching lighting use to the train timetable, passenger presence, daylight levels and other varying uses.

Last year, King’s Cross officially turned on its central solar panel installation on the main roof of the station.

The installation is expected to generate 175,000 kWh a year and save over 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions. It is made up of 1,392 glass laminate units and covers 2300 square metres.

Leigh Stringer